Holiday destination is 'better' than Thailand with friendlier locals and crystal clear waters
Another Asian country is made up of more than 7,000 islands and, like Thailand, it has beautiful beaches, friendly locals and plenty of things to do
There's a country that some holidaymakers reckon is "better" for tourists than Thailand, despite receiving significantly fewer visitors. Thailand is a top choice for Brits, particularly backpackers and those seeking a cultural and nature-filled trip.
However, other Asian countries offer stunning beaches, friendly locals and exciting activities that might be even more worthwhile. The Philippines, also in South East Asia, comprises over 7,000 islands boasting breathtaking coastal views, highly-rated hikes and nature experiences, and plenty more for tourists to enjoy.
Plus, it offers cheaper food prices than Thailand, according to Travel Authentic Asia.
As per travel insurance providers Pacific Prime, the Philippines welcomes under 10 million tourists annually, a figure dwarfed by Thailand's 40 million. With Thailand often considered pricier, tourists are turning to the Philippines as an alternative Asian holiday destination.
Comparing Thailand to the Philippines can be challenging as both are culturally unique. However, many tourists visit these countries for similar reasons, such as their beaches, seaside resorts, forests, wildlife and nightlife, reports the Express.
One blogger who is an avid traveller in the Philippines, and goes by the moniker Island Hopping the Philippines online, stated that after years of living in Thailand, they find the Philippines "so much better".
They expressed their admiration for the archipelago, saying: "The Philippines has 7,000 beach paradise islands. It just never stops. You could pick some random corner of the country and bask the remainder of your life in paradise."
Travel enthusiasts are weighing in on the debate over whether the Philippines or Thailand takes the crown as the leading Southeast Asian destination.
Sharing their experiences on TripAdvisor, one user highlighted the friendliness of Filipino hospitality: "Filipinos are arguably friendlier than Thais and overall (with the exception of Boracay and sometimes El Nido and Panglao Island/Bohol Island - Alona Beach) Philippines is far less crowded and touristy than visitor-heavy Thailand."
Commenting on the allure of seaside locations, another traveller remarked: "Beaches are better in the Philippines than in Thailand, and it's not just Boracay."
Adding to the conversation on YouTube, Fonsi Abroad praised the pristine beaches of the Philippines, noting that its beaches with crystal clear waters and white sand will "blow your mind". Likewise, a duo that runs the Jumping Places channel on YouTube echoed this sentiment, asserting the superior quality of Philippine beaches.
Despite the Philippines' praise, there remains support for Thailand's travel experience. Advocates for Thailand underscore its well-established tourist infrastructure and mainland geography, which simplifies travel by car, bus, or train, unlike the Philippines where more flying is necessary due to its scattered island composition.
While island-hopping in the Philippines can be pricey, Travel Authentic Asia suggests that parts of Thailand often provide more affordable accommodation options. For British travellers, Thailand is also more accessible, with flights from London to Bangkok taking approximately 11 hours and 40 minutes, compared to nearly 16 hours to reach Manila, the Filipino capital.
Nature enthusiasts flock to the Philippines for its stunning beaches, forests, and mountains. The top-rated attraction, White Beach, is hailed as an "island paradise" by Tripadvisor reviewers.
Other must-visit spots include El Nido Beach, Kayangan Lake, Puerto Princesa Underground River, Big Lagoon, and the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument.
Manila, the capital city, offers a diverse range of activities for tourists, including exploring the historic Instramuros district, visiting Fort Santiago, strolling through Rizal Park, and discovering the National Museum.
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The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
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Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Desperate tourists sprint to secure poolside spots even after queuing for hour
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Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
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Tourists face 'inhuman' queues at Spanish airport amid emergency meeting
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'There were more than 500 people waiting standing, we couldn't move our arms or even breathe, everyone was sweating; there were elderly couples and babies under a year old; some children were crying, others were screaming, and some parents were carrying them on their shoulders so they wouldn't suffocate. "Next to me was an elderly man with an insulin pump, and further away, a frantic family; I thought something serious could happen. There weren't even bathrooms in that area." A taxi driver who picks up passengers from the airport claimed that such waits and crowds are a regular occurrence and that medical workers are often called on to care for unwell passengers who suffer fainting spells. Other Brits who had recently jetted out to Tenerife claimed they'd had similar issues on different dates. Lynda McLaughlin said: "It is nothing to do with half term. We landed on May 3 at 12.30pm and this is exactly how it was then. There was no organisation whatsoever. It is crazy." Another passenger who landed on the same day described it as "hell". Carol Perry added: "The same happened to us three weeks ago, at the same time of night. There were only two passport control officers on and one person trying to sort out queues who didn't have a clue what she was doing. It was bedlam. It wasn't school holidays then either. Tenerife's ruling council, has called an emergency meeting in response to the incident, citing the recurring chaos during peak tourism periods. Dávila deemed the situation "unacceptable", attributing it to inadequate staffing for border checks following the UK's EU exit. If Labour is able to push ahead with its plans for UK passport holders to use queues for EU citizens only, this issue could be eased in coming months. The situation at the airport was made worse on Monday when the automated check-in systems failed to recognise children's passports, forcing families with their little ones and luggage to wait for hours under the scorching heat just to begin their holidays. Get travel warnings straight to your WhatsApp! Off on holiday soon? The Mirror has launched its very own Travel WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest travel warnings for everything from staycations to getaways in sunny Spain. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Expressing her frustration, the council's President disclosed that she had reached out to mainland politicians but was met with lacklustre responses, lamenting, "There's a serious lack of respect towards Tenerife. We're managing essential services locally, but without state support, we're being left to fail," she said. Tenerife Tourism Minister Lope Afonso expressed alarm at the first impression visitors receive, stating, "This is the first impression our visitors get. After hours on a plane, they're met with long waits and no explanation. It's not acceptable, and it's hurting our brand as a quality tourist destination," he explained. Additionally, Afonso issued a stark warning about the potential disaster awaiting summer tourists if improvements are not made urgently. He said: "We need immediate solutions to avoid this happening again, especially with the busy summer season ahead."
