Tourism officials in Eastern Visayas are celebrating a major global milestone after Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte, debuted at 25th place on the prestigious World\u2019s 50 Best Beaches list for 2026.<\/p>\n
Kalanggaman joins El Nido\u2019s Entalula Beach \u2013 which claimed the top spot worldwide this year \u2013 as the only two Philippine destinations to make the elite rankings.<\/p>\n
Unlike popularity-based polls, the list is curated by travel professionals who evaluate beaches for authenticity and natural condition.<\/p>\n
Palompon Mayor Mary Dominique O\u00f1ate called the recognition a “proud moment,” attributing the success to the town’s strict environmental management.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis achievement reflects the dedication of our community in protecting Kalanggaman. As we gain global attention, we remain committed to safeguarding its unspoiled beauty,\u201d O\u00f1ate said in a statement Monday.<\/p>\n
To preserve the island’s famous white sandbars and turquoise waters, the local government enforces a strict limit of 500 visitors per day.<\/p>\n
Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said that although locals have appreciated the island\u2019s beauty for a long time, this international attention will greatly increase interest in the wider region.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe world is finally seeing what we have quietly known for the longest time,\u201d Tiopes said, adding that the ranking, followed by millions of travelers, brings the responsibility of heightened sustainability.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must work even harder to manage visitor numbers and improve facilities while protecting the environment,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Accessible only by boat and with limited infrastructure, Kalanggaman was praised by judges for its long, narrow sandbar extending into open water, remaining pristine due to regulated tourism. (PNA)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Kalanggaman\u2019s inclusion highlights its beauty and appeal as a world-class destination.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":75,"featured_media":264285,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[101],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-264284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-travel"],"zyndk8_nxtgen_metadata":{"nxtgen_comments":[{"8570":"nice initiative para sa environment \ud83c\udf0a","8571":"ok naman initiative nila \ud83e\udd14"}]},"yoast_head":"\n