Boracay is Best Island Resort and Best Resort Destination in Southeast Asia for Russians

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

BORACAY - The island of Boracay was cited as the Best Resort Destination in Southeast Asia and Best Island Resort in the annual consumer tourism award held at the 18th Moscow International Exhibition on Travel and Tourism (MITT) in Expocenter Krasnaya Presnya in Russia.

Department of Foreign Affairs announced the recent awards from Travel.ru, the first and unique consumer award in travel industry in Russia. The Philippines was also recognized as Discovery of the Year for 2010.

The winners were selected via online voting by travellers and tourists in travel.ru website, one of the popular internet tourist resources in Russia. Philippine Ambassador in Russia Victor Garcia III received the awards during the “Travel.ru Star” ceremony.

The awardees got votes from more than 9,000 Russian tourists where they named 264 Russian tour operators, 203 beach hotel resorts, 320 beach destinations, 176 tourist places in 57 countries, 92 airlines, many Russian and foreign airports, dozens of travel guides, papers and magazines, tv channels and thematic websites.

Irina Turina, press attaché of Russian Union of Travel Industry said "there is no doubt that Travel.ru Star is notable for its impartiality and independence. Nor participants nor winners are paying for their participation and victory."

Among the winners in Southeast Asia were Singapore for Best Foreign Airport (Singapore Changi Airport) and Best Airline by Destination Southeast Asia, Australia and Oceania (Singapore Airlines) and Best Travel Company Operating in Russia by Destinations (TEZ Tour).

Since 2003 it is the customers who name the best of the best among travel agencies, hotels, resorts, airlines, countries and sources of information. Every year thousands of Internet users participate in the online voting.

Currently there are 70 nomination categories for the “Travel.ru Star” award. The founder of the "Travel.ru Star" award and the facilitator of the contest is Travel.ru Direct Ltd.