By BONG S. SARMIENTO
MindaNews
THE volcanic island-province of Camiguin is among the 52 must-see travel destinations for 2026 featured in The New York Times (NYT), the only tourist spot in the Philippines included in the list.
Camiguin in Northern Mindanao was in the 37th spot in NYT’s “52 Places To Go in 2026” published on the paper’s website last January 5.
The American daily newspaper article described Camiguin as “a water lover’s paradise with sandbars and hot springs.”
Patrick Scott, a NYT regular travel contributor, wrote: “Camiguin, a volcanic island in the southern Philippines without a single traffic light but with plenty of lush mountain peaks, black-sand beaches and towering coconut palms, has been rolling out improvements to entice more visitors.”
He noted that “a widening of the 40-mile road that encircles the island is nearly complete, and the island’s first boardwalk, on the beach in the main town of Mambajao, is set to open this year.”
Bolstering its reputation as a sports tourism destination, a new triathlon will be added in May to a lineup of swimming and running races, Scott stated.
He shared that the island is rich in local cuisine and in cultural heritage, including a sunken cemetery, an ecofarm tour and an island-wide fall festival celebrating the sweet lanzones fruit.
“But Camiguin is foremost a destination for those who love the water, with treasure-chest-size neon clams, an abundance of sea turtles around white sandbar islets, hot and cold springs, and waterfalls for bathing,” Scott said.
The Camiguin Tourism Office appeared bullish on the NYT’s inclusion of the island-province in its global travel list this year.
“Discover an island of breathtaking landscapes, pristine waterfalls, white-sand beaches, and a rich culture and heritage,” it posted on Facebook.
The tourism office invited tourists to visit the place.
“Come and experience why Camiguin is capturing the world’s attention!” it said.
Camiguin, dubbed the “Island Born of Fire,” can be reached by a one-hour boat ride from Balingoan Port in Misamis Oriental.
In a statement on Thursday, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco emphasized that such recognition “reaffirms not only the country’s natural beauty but also the efforts of local communities and frontliners that enhance the overall tourism experience.”
“This recognition by the New York Times affirms not only Camiguin’s extraordinary natural beauty, but also the tireless work of its people, its tourism frontliners, and the committed leadership of Governor Xavier Jesus Romualdo and the provincial government in elevating Camiguin as a globally competitive destination,” Frasco said.
The recognition came on the heels of Camiguin’s recent tourism push with the campaign slogan “Isle Visit Camiguin 2026.”
The New York Times article positions Camiguin alongside powerhouse attractions such as Los Angeles, Nagasaki, Okinawa, Armenia, Iceland, Assisi, Warsaw, Melbourne, Bangkok, and Vietnam, among others, the Department of Tourism noted.
