Bali Loses Title of Asia-Pacific's Most Beautiful Island, Here's Its Replacement

Bali has lost its status as the most beautiful island in the Asia-Pacific region. The title has now been taken over by Koh Samui in Thailand, which secured first place in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026. The results of the annual awards, announced by the American travel magazine Travel + Leisure, were based on votes from readers who assessed various leading tourist destinations across the Asia-Pacific. In the Best Islands category, Koh Samui managed to surpass Bali, which for years has been known as one of the world’s most iconic tourist destinations. The assessment was also based on factors such as visitor satisfaction, hospitality standards, service quality, and overall tourism offerings. This shift in position reflects the increasingly fierce competition among premium tourist destinations in the Asia-Pacific region. Travel + Leisure highlighted Koh Samui’s blend of beauty, which is increasingly popular with tourists thanks to its tropical beaches, luxury resorts, and a more exclusive and relaxed atmosphere compared to several other popular destinations. Although its reputation as a luxury destination is growing, this Thai island still retains much of its original charm through coconut plantations, small beachfront bungalows, and coastal villages. The island gained international attention after its appearance in the third season of the popular TV series The White Lotus. Meanwhile, Bali dropped to third place amidst ongoing challenges related to mass tourism. Over the past year, authorities in Bali have intensified efforts to address visa violations and inappropriate behaviour by foreign visitors in an attempt to preserve local culture and public order. Vietnam’s largest island, Phu Quoc, was ranked second. Palawan in the Philippines came in fourth, followed by Penang in Malaysia. Other destinations rounding out the top 10 included Phuket and Koh Chang in Thailand, Langkawi in Malaysia, and Boracay in the Philippines, along with Sumba in Indonesia. Nominations were selected by Travel + Leisure’s editors and expert contributors across the Asia-Pacific region, while winners were determined through public voting. The latest rankings underscore the growing competition among Southeast Asian island destinations as travellers increasingly seek a combination of luxury experiences, authentic local culture, and pristine natural landscapes.