Davao City ranked first as the Best Travel Destination in the Philippines in the April 2026 World Travel Index Report, sustaining its spot as a top destination in the country.
With a score of 75.66, the city continues to excel in infrastructure, affordability, tourism experience, and overall visitor satisfaction. It also ranks among the safest cities in the country for the base year 2025.
In the rankings, Puerto Princesa City came in second with a score of 74.68, followed by Makati City with a score of 73.82.
The evaluation of the location data is based on four main criteria: affordability, enjoyment, safety, and overall tourism experience—guided by questions such as: Is it cheap? Is it fun? Is it safe? And is it worth it?
For affordability, the city scored 88.38; for enjoyment, 62.09; for safety, 79.22; and for overall tourism experience, 72.96.
The City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO), in an official statement on Tuesday, attributed this success to the unwavering support of tourism stakeholders in the city.
“This milestone is a testament to the unwavering support and dedication of our tourism and hospitality stakeholders, partners, and the entire community who continue to elevate Davao’s tourism landscape. Our heartfelt thanks as well to all travelers—both local and international—for choosing Davao City and making it part of your journey,” the statement reads.
The CTOO said it celebrates the achievement with pride, along with a strengthened resolve and renewed commitment to deliver world-class experiences.
In 2025, the CTOO spearheaded various events and activities, recording 2 million tourist arrivals.
The Kadayawan Festival recorded the highest number with 206,506 visitors, followed by the Pasko Fiesta in December 2025 with 192,969 arrivals.
CTOO Head Willenito Tormis Jr., in a recent statement, earlier said they aim to harness the city’s diversity and rich culinary heritage for sustained tourism growth.
The office recently introduced new tourism circuits, tours, and products to ensure continued support for MSMEs, recognizing them as key to translating tourism progress into community empowerment.
The CTOO also invited tourists to discover more of what makes Davao City number one, especially with the Duaw Davao Festival in June. CIO