Bali again named world's favorite tourist island

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Bali was again named the world's best tourist island after a recent survey held by New York based Travel+Leisure Magazine.

"We have been informed by the magazine's editors. The award ceremony will be held on July 14 here in New York," said Kristio Wahyono, the Indonesian consul general in New York, as quoted by Antara news agency.

Kristio said Minister of Tourism and Culture Jero Wacik would attend the awards ceremony in New York.

According to an online survey held by the magazine, Bali beat other competitors in the survey in terms of hotel service, convenient transportation, competitive prices and management of tour packages.

The survey was conducted through the Internet in the first quarter of this year. Travel industry professionals were banned from participating. The respondents were asked to mention the countries they had traveled through and how, and rate only the destinations, properties and companies that were relevant to their recent travel experiences. Respondents were asked to rate hotels, islands and airlines on five characteristics; and cities, cruise lines and tour operators/safari outfitters on six characteristics.

It is the second consecutive year Bali was name the world's favorite island.

Last year, besides being named the world's best island, the paradise island was also named in the category for the world's best hotel for US$250 or less. The hotel that won the category was the Ritz-Carlton Bali Resort and Spa.

The survey has been held for nine consecutive years.

Bali's victory is expected to help revive the tourist industry on the island after a slump caused by the 2002 Bali bombing that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists.