Siem Reap Ranked as the 8th Favorite Holiday Destination in Asia
Best Holiday Destinations in Asia
Polling holiday destinations is always fun, but tricky. Dreams are peculiar to countries and communities. Just as the westernised Japanese race to the beach to revel in the sun, Indians head for shade and cool hill resorts. Shopping-mad Hongkongers head for the malls, Australians chase the surf and Brits sip Singapore slings in musty colonial retreats.
This story is part of the Best Asia Travel Brands 2009 Survey. The rest of the story can be found on the Smart Travel Asia website. http://www.smarttravelasia.com/travelpoll.htm
There were few surprises in the 2009 Top Three. Ranked first as the Best Holiday Destination in Asia with 24 percent of the vote (compared with 14 percent in 2008) is the other worldly “Island of the Gods”, Bali, Indonesia. The island ranked first on our poll in 2006 and 2007 too. Bali has retained its disarmingly honest and simple charm. It remains a peaceful ritual-minded Hindu enclave in a bustling Muslim country. Above all, despite the burgeoning ranks of the t-shirt vendors and temple touts, Bali still retains a great deal of authenticity.
Voted the second best destination for an Asian holiday was the eternally popular Thai island of Phuket, which garnered 12.3% of the vote. This island (linked by a bridge) was voted in second position in 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well. It held its position easily despite troubles in south Thailand and political uncertainties. Clearly, its string of wonderful beaches, fine food, nightlife and that special Thai can-do hospitality, remain a big draw for travellers. In general, Thailand remains a big favourite as our Top Ten List suggests.
Co-ranked second and climbing up two hard-fought positions was the islands-in-the-sun Maldives. This continued rise to prominence underscored discerning travellers’ desire for authentic, “pure”, and secluded escapes with a focus on eco-friendly establishments. Said one voter, “The purity of the Maldives is breathtaking – the water, the sea, the people. My only complaint was the food, which could have been better given the prices.” Said another: “This is a jewel of a destination, no matter you visit for a honeymoon or with the entire family in tow.” As one European voter put it: “Forget the Caribbean. This is the most perfect place on earth.”
Ranked third best Asian holiday destination (as in 2006, 2007, and 2008) is the South Indian idyll of Kerala, long a favourite of the get-away-from-it-all crowd. Known for its verdant rice paddy fields, cool mountains clad in mist-wreathed tea estates, beaches, and welcoming, literate, head-nodding population, Kerala is one of three Indian destinations in the 2009 Top Ten. Said one voter: “After the chaos of Indian airports and the bedlam on the roads, Kerala is as a nourishing oasis of green.”
Following closely in fourth position is the picture-postcard neon-powered city of Hong Kong with six percent of the vote. Hong Kong ranked fifth in 2008. Doubtless, shopping was a major draw as underlined by the results for the “best cities for shopping” category.
Ranked in fifth place (climbing up one notch) is Bangkok, co-ranked in this position with Hoi An, Vietnam. Then in sixth were Boracay, Goa, and Langkawi. In seventh spot are Palawan and Chiang Mai (they shared eighth in 2008). In eighth position is Angkor (Siem Reap, Cambodia) along with Shanghai, and Tokyo. Dubai and Koh Samui jointly held ninth; and tenth spot went to Penang and Rajasthan. Said one voter of Penang: “This is food heaven and the prices are unbeatable.”
Our poll revealed the continued dominance of Thailand as a “holiday brand” with four destinations in this Top Ten, and the emergence of India as a destination on traveller wish-lists. Bali held top spot demonstrating that integrity can attract visitor votes, and dollars.
1. Bali, Indonesia
2. Maldives & Phuket, Thailand
3. Kerala, India
4. Hong Kong
5. Bangkok, Thailand
6. Boracay, Philippines; Goa, India & Langkawi, Malaysia
7. Chiang Mai, Thailand & Palawan, Philippines
8. Angkor (Siem Reap), Cambodia; Shanghai, China & Tokyo, Japan
9. Dubai, United Arab Emirates & Koh Samui, Thailand
10. Penang, Malaysia & Rajasthan, India
This story is part of the Best Asia Travel Brands 2009 Survey. The rest of the story can be found on the Smart Travel Asia website. http://www.smarttravelasia.com/travelpoll.htm
