Bali again named world's favorite tourist island

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.