Getting on the travel radar

El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines. - Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Tourism is the best way to help the country bounce back after Typhoon Haiyan. Most resorts and attractions are open and fully functional. Where do we start? A local writer recommends 10 places to visit.

FOR a country with thousands of idyllic islands, plus world-class surfing and diving, the Philippines is a relatively undiscovered travel destination. Tourism is crucial to the country’s economy, accounting for 8% of its GDP, but compare the British visitor numbers – 120,000 in 2012 – to those of Thailand (800,000 per year) and you get some idea of just how far off the radar this vast archipelago is.