Three Thai cities voted among most popular destinations in Asia
A survey conducted by the travel website TripAdvisor shows that Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Phuket have been voted among the 20 most popular and best value cities in Asia by US travelers.
According to a report from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the index is aimed at helping US travelers identify the destinations that offer the best value by comparing the price of a one-week trip to different Asian cities between 1 November 2015 and 30 April 2016.
In the rankings of the top 20 best value destinations in Asia, Chiang Mai came in fourth, Bangkok in seventh place, and Phuket in 10th place. US visitors favor beaches and culture in Thailand. They have an average stay of about 14 days per person travelling in Thailand.
Dubbed a multi-faceted "City of Asia,” Bangkok was recently named as one of the top ten cities in the world for visitors by the travel magazine Travel and Leisure. Readers were asked to judge destinations on factors that included culture, food, friendliness, shopping, and city landmarks.
Bangkok was popular with readers for its bustle, street food, and blend of ancient culture and modern luxury. TAT has long promoted Bangkok as a destination in its own right for long-haul and regional travelers seeking cultural experiences, world-class dining and shopping.
Recognized as a regional aviation hub for the Greater Mekong Subregion, Chiang Mai in the North is now a popular long-stay destination, a medical tourism center, and an education hub.
It is rich in culture and traditions and boasts numerous tourist attractions that have become a magnet for both local and international visitors. UNESCO has added the monuments, sites, and cultural landscape of Chiang Mai in its tentative list of World Heritage sites.
Often dubbed the pearl of the Andaman Sea, the island province of Phuket in the South is internationally renowned for its beautiful beaches and excellent seafood. It is being developed as a marine tourism city and a destination of "meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions,” or MICE.