Bangkok has always been a favourite holiday city for international travellers. — Pixabay
Maybe it’s the food and shopping, maybe it’s Moo Deng. The city of Bangkok in Thailand is the holiday destination of choice for international travellers in 2024, according to a survey by an online travel magazine.
The 2024 Best In Travel poll, conducted from July to September by Smart Travel Asia, also lists Tokyo (Japan), Bali (Indonesia), Seoul (South Korea) and Taipei (Taiwan) as some of the favourites in the Best Holiday Destinations category. Apart from these popular cities, top island holiday destinations like Phuket in Thailand and Maldives are included too.
In fact, a look at the full list (available on smarttravelasia.com) shows that modern cities and islands are preferred over nature and cultural destinations like Bhutan, Luang Prabang in Laos and Mongolia.
None of Malaysia’s top destinations are listed in this category, unfortunately.
Another key insight from the survey is that travellers look for authentic experiences during their trips. The survey shows that travellers seem to put a higher priority on personal interactions and emotional needs, over high-tech amenities and infrastructure.
Apart from that, Gen Z and Millennial women travellers seem to be the most adventurous in their choices according to the survey, while Gen X and Baby Boomer holidaymakers prefer tried-and-tested “classics”.
Also, there is a gradual rise in family travel, which means that kid-friendly resorts are gaining popularity. The Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa in Penang is ranked #1 in the Best Family Hotels in Asia category.
The poll takes a look at the aviation industry too, naming the best airports, best airlines, best budget airlines and best crew, among others.
The Best Airports in the world unsurprisingly sees Singapore’s Changi Airport sitting at the top, followed by Qatar’s Hamad International Airport in Doha, and South Korea’s Incheon International Airport, Seoul.
Qatar Airways is named the world’s Best Airline, with Emirates coming in second, followed by Singapore Airlines and Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific.
Malaysia’s multi-award-winning low-cost carrier AirAsia, meanwhile, is Asia’s Best Budget Airline.
Malaysia doesn’t fare well in the whole poll however, appearing fewer than 10 times across the 16 different categories for Asia.
Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur are on the top 10 list of Best Cities For Meetings, while The Datai Langkawi shares the #5 spot with Singapore’s The Parkroyal Collection, Marina Bay in the Top 10 Sustainable Hotels category.
The Datai also appears in the best spa hotel category.
Hotel Majestic in KL is on the Top 10 Wedding Hotels list.
The Top Luxury Hotels ranking includes some of Asia’s well-known and legacy hotel brands. Thailand’s Centara Reserve Samui sits on the top spot, followed by Amankila Bali, Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, India, and Amanpuri in Phuket.
Asia’s Top 10 Budget Airlines
1. AirAsia, Malaysia
2. IndiGo, India
3. Scoot, Singapore
4. Jetstar Asia, Singapore
5. Cebu Pacific, the
Philippines
6. Peach, Japan
7. ZIPAIR, Japan
8. Vietjet Air, Vietnam
9. HK Express, Hong Kong
10. Lion Air, Indonesia
World’s Top 10 Airports
1. Singapore Changi Airport
2. Hamad International Airport, Qatar
3. Haneda Airport, Japan
4. Incheon International Airport, South Korea
5. Hong Kong International
Airport
6. Munich Airport, Germany
7. Zurich Airport, Switzerland 8. Istanbul Airport, Turkiye
9. Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand
10. Samui International Airport, Thailand
