The holiday island of Bali, Indonesia, was voted the World's Most Romantic Destination at this year's World Travel Awards.
This is the first time Bali has received this title. In previous years, the honor went to other renowned destinations such as Seychelles, Mauritius, and the Maldives.
Bali is famous for its natural landscapes, beaches, traditional culture, rich history, and ancient temples.
The island has experienced a strong recovery in tourism following the Covid pandemic.
Last year, it welcomed 15.5 million visitors, nearly reaching its pre-pandemic numbers from 2019.
In the first seven months of this year alone, Bali recorded 3.89 million arrivals, up from 2.9 million during the same period last year.
Photo by Ngoc Giau
Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island off the coast of Kien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta, was named the World’s Leading Nature Island Destination at this year’s World Travel Awards.
After last year’s tourism crisis, the island has shown steady signs of recovery, welcoming 5 million tourists by October, reaching 78.8% of its annual target.
Industry experts attribute the increase in foreign visitors to extensive media coverage and numerous international awards the island has received.
Favorable visa policies, the arrival of major luxury hotel brands, and a diverse range of tourism products have also contributed to attracting international travelers to Phu Quoc, insiders said.
Photo by Khanh Tran
Koh Samui in Thailand was ranked the world’s 9th most beautiful island in this year’s World’s Best Awards by Travel + Leisure.
As Thailand's third-largest island, Koh Samui is home to over 50,000 residents and is famed for its stunning white sand beaches, lush tropical forests, luxurious resorts, and sacred Buddhist temples.
In June, Lisa from the South Korean girl group Blackpink was spotted at a beachside bar on Koh Samui, drawing further attention to the island.
Photo courtesy of Tripadvisor
Boracay, a small island stretching seven kilometers and located over 300 km south of Manila in the Philippines, was named the World’s Leading Luxury Island Destination at the World Travel Awards.
Renowned for its pristine beaches, Boracay boasts a long stretch of powdery white sand, crystal-clear azure waters, and breathtaking sunsets.
The island’s peak season runs from March to May, coinciding with the Philippines’ summer months, when Boracay becomes the top beach destination for Filipinos.
Photo by Reuters
Palawan in the Philippines was ranked 13th on Travel + Leisure's list of the 25 Most Beautiful Islands this year, as voted by the magazine’s readers.
“This thin island off the western coast of the Philippines is known for its unparalleled natural beauty, including limestone cliffs, lagoons, and rainforests,” Travel + Leisure noted.
Visitors can explore natural wonders like the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
Palawan also offers opportunities to learn about the rich cultural heritage of indigenous communities, such as the Batak and Tagbanua tribes.
Photo courtesy of Tripadvisor
Thailand's Phuket Island was voted one of world's 25 most inspiring destinations by Travel+Leisure.
Phuket is the country's largest island, famous for its stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and iconic Big Buddha. It's also popular with water sports activities and cruise experiences.
Patong Beach is the most famous in Phuket, known for its lively atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, and bustling street markets.
Photo by AFP
Malaysia's Penang was named one of world's best-value destinations in the 2024 edition of the Holiday Money Report released by Post Office Ltd, the biggest retailer in the U.K.
Penang is famous for its UNESCO world heritage site, George Town and pristine beaches offering stunning views.
In this picture is a house decorated with mural painting in George Town.
Photo courtesy of Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board
