Ubud, Bali in Top Ten of Travel + Leisure's Best 25 Cities

KOMPAS.com – Bali has ensconced itself yet again as the undisputed jewel of Indonesia’s tourism after New York-based magazine Travel + Leisure named Ubud as one of its 25 Best Cities in the World to Visit for 2020.

The magazine's rankings are based on traveler surveys.

On its website https://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best/cities, Travel + Leisure ranked Ubud ninth on its annual list with a score of 88.16 as it punched above its weight to beat metropolises like Rome, Lisbon, and Tokyo.

The mountainous Balinese arts and culture center trailed behind other artistic destinations such as Firenze, which placed fifth, and Kyoto sixth.

Also read: Capella Ubud Hotel in Bali is World's Best Hotel: Travel + Leisure

Mexico took top spots on the Travel + Leisure poll as readers named Oaxaca and San Miguel de Allende first and second on the list,, respectively.

Travel + Leisure noted that a number of countries, such as the US, Thailand, Italy and Japan have two cities on the list.

“Readers can rate airlines, airports, car-rental agencies, cities, cruise ships, destination spas, hotels, hotel brands, islands, tour operators, and safari outfitters,” said Travel + Leisure of the poll.

Regular tourist itinerary

Other items on the yearly list include spas, airlines, hotels and other categories.

Also read: Bali to Reopen to International Tourists Starting September 11 

Based on the Travel + Leisure list for resort islands, Ubud played a major part in getting Bali rated on the list, which for islands encompass “natural attractions/beaches, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people/friendliness, value.”

Known for sights such as the Sangeh Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace and the Tegallalang rice fields, Ubud has also been featured in Travel + Leisure’s lists of destinations in recent years.

The town also raised its internationational profile through Elizabeth Gilbert's 2006 bestseller Eat Pray Love and the eponymously named 2010 feature film starring Julia Roberts. 

Travel + Leisure’s readers are encouraged to participate in the survey through tablets, bulletins, social media, and its website at travelandleisure.com. 

(Writer: Nabilla Ramadhian | Editor: Kahfi Dirga Cahya)

Sources:

https://travel.kompas.com/read/2020/07/12/144300427/ubud-jadi-salah-satu-kota-terbaik-di-dunia?page=all#page2.