Bali is no longer the highest-ranked island in the Asia-Pacific region after Thailand’s Koh Samui claimed the top position in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026, ending Bali’s long-standing reputation as one of the region’s leading island destinations.
According to VN Express, the annual awards organised by the American travel magazine Travel + Leisure are based on votes from readers, who evaluate destinations across the Asia-Pacific region according to their travel experiences.
The awards recognise outstanding destinations in several categories, with the Best Islands ranking reflecting visitors’ assessments of overall holiday quality, hospitality, service standards, and destination appeal.
Koh Samui Takes Top Spot While Bali Slips to Third
In the 2026 Best Islands category, Koh Samui secured first place ahead of Vietnam’s Phu Quoc, while Bali ranked third. The remainder of the top five was completed by Palawan in the Philippines and Penang in Malaysia.
The top 10 list also includes Phuket and Koh Chang in Thailand, Langkawi in Malaysia, Boracay in the Philippines, and Sumba, representing Indonesia.
According to Travel + Leisure, Koh Samui continues to attract travellers with its combination of white-sand beaches, luxury resorts and a quieter atmosphere compared with many other popular island destinations.
Although tourism development has expanded over the years, the island has retained much of its natural character, including coconut plantations, beachfront bungalows and traditional coastal villages.
The island has also received increased international attention after serving as the filming location for the third season of the television series The White Lotus, further raising its profile among global travellers.
The final rankings were determined through public voting, while the nominees were selected by Travel + Leisure editors and contributors specialising in Asia-Pacific tourism.
Bali Continues to Face Tourism Challenges
Bali’s third-place finish comes as the island continues to manage a number of challenges associated with its tourism industry.
In recent years, authorities have intensified efforts to address issues including overcrowding at popular attractions, immigration violations involving foreign nationals, and visitor behaviour considered inconsistent with local customs and cultural values.
Despite slipping in this year’s rankings, Bali remains one of the world’s most recognised tourist destinations, attracting millions of international visitors annually with its beaches, cultural heritage, temples, natural landscapes and hospitality.
The latest rankings also highlight growing competition among tourism destinations across the Asia-Pacific region, with countries continuing to invest in sustainable tourism, luxury accommodation and visitor experiences to attract international travellers.
Travel + Leisure’s annual awards remain one of the region’s recognised travel rankings, reflecting the preferences and experiences of readers who have visited destinations across Asia and the Pacific.
