Bali is a multi-award-winning travel destination.
The Island of the Gods can now add one more trophy to the cabinet after being voted the ‘The Best Island’ at the DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards.
DestinAsian is one of the most-read travel magazines by travelers based in the Asia and Pacific regions.
The annual travel awards highlight the most visited and most highly rated travel destinations in the region.
In 2024, Bali came out on top as the best island in the Asia and Pacific region, beating the likes of the Maldives, Phuket, and Koh Samui in Thailand.
Bali also beat Boracay in the Philippines, Phu Quoc in Vietnam, and Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia.
DestinAsian wrote, “Bali continues to reign supreme as the top choice, maintaining its position since the inception of our Readers’ Choice Awards in 2006. Its timeless allure and vibrant culture consistently captivate travelers worldwide.”
Following the announcement of the award, Indonesia’s Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, told reporters, “The DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards are directly chosen by loyal readers of DestinAsian magazine, and this is proof for the umpteenth time that Bali is a leading destination that must be visited by tourist.”
So far this year, Bali has been named as a top travel destination by TripAdvisor and Travel + Leisure Magazine.
According to data shared by Minister Uno last week, Bali has the aggregate capacity to contribute to 50% of Indonesia’s overall tourism target for 2024 of 14.3 million people.
Despite efforts to promote other regions of Indonesia, Bali remains the most popular travel destination for both international and domestic tourists in the country and will stay the flagship tourism product for many years to come.
Minister Uno told reporters, “With Bali frequently receiving awards, it is hoped that Bali can become a feeder for the five Super Priority Destinations in Indonesia. This is an achievement that we should be grateful for.”
“We hope that in the future, other destinations will develop in Indonesia, as well as Bali.” The five super-priority destinations in Indonesia are Borobudur in Central Java, Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Raja Ampat, Likupang, and Mandalika.
Tourists planning vacations and longer periods of travel in Indonesia are encouraged to use Bali as the gateway to the archipelago.
Speaking late last month, Minister Uno invited Australian tourists and travel agents from the land down under to make the most of Bali’s add-on destinations to better explore all that Indonesia has to offer travelers.
However, with the cost of domestic flights rising, tourists have voiced concerns that this will impact their travel plans sooner rather than later.
The cost of internal flights to Bali has been rising to such an extent that many travelers have had to arrange a layover in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, or Bangkok before jetting into Bali rather than flying directly on a domestic flight or having a layover within Indonesia.
Minster Uno said that he had requested support from President Joko Widodo about the issue. He told reporters, “We heard that many people who go to Bali instead have to go abroad first. This is ironic at a time when our tourism is increasing. This is due to the lack of flights.”
He hopes that more domestic flights will be added to the schedule at Bali Airport before the next high season begins in late May.
It was not only Bali as an island that was featured in the best of awards. Bali’s very own I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport was voted in a respectable fourth place, losing out narrowly to huge international transit hubs.
Singapore Changi Airport came first place as the best airport in the region, followed by Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok and Hong Kong International.
Indonesia’s national carrier, Garuda Airlines also featured in the top ten best airlines by DestinAsian, coming in sixth place. Singapore Airlines, followed by Emirates and Thai Airways made up the podium positions.
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Firechef
Wednesday 20th of March 2024
I think DestinAsian was bribed and bought off by the Bali tourist minister. There is no way in hell that Bali is better than those mentioned. I've been to all of them and have found them to be equal or better than Bali in all aspects. Let's stop with this BS Garden of the God's and call it what it really is; Garden of Trash & Traffic Jams.
Wayan Bo
Tuesday 19th of March 2024
This could also mean that situation on other Asian destinations is become more and more worse.
Exp
Monday 18th of March 2024
Bali ended up on top of the list beating the likes of the Maldives, Phuket, Koh Samui, Boracay in the Philippines, Phu Quoc in Vietnam, and Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia.
Probably useful to know then that Destin Asian Media Group was founded by an Indonesian (Ronald Liem).