Why Does Bali Become the World’s Top Destination?

Bali beats London to title of world’s most popular destination in 2021 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards, with Cornwall’s St Ives No5 in ranking of best places to visit in the future. Bali is the most popular destination in the world, according to the 2021 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards.

Here are nine reasons why Bali is so popular: 1. The Spirit of Bali—Bali is known as the Island of the Gods, due to the numerous religious idols of Balinese ancient Hinduism which is enshrined in the locals’ daily life. Balinese culture focuses on balance and harmony and this is reflected in the numerous rituals, festivals and ceremonies which are endlessly practiced to show gratitude to the Hindu Gods.

The colorful ceremonies, parades and exhibits are so commonplace that would be unusual for visitors not to witness these during their stay. These offer an interesting insight into a peaceful way of life and invariably a fabulous experience for the tourists as spectators to events where the locals focus on calling on good spirits while pushing the negative evils away.

The Balinese live in close knit communities all over the island and, prior to the arrival of the tourism industry, arts and crafts were inherited family traits to support their faith and ceremonies. With over 20,000 temples on the island it is evident to see that spirituality and community is integral to Balinese people; both town dwellers and in remote villages. This beautiful culture is reflected in the welcoming, friendly hospitality of the locals.

2. Tropical Climate—In its equatorial location, Bali’s temperature is guaranteed to be hot and humid all year round. There are basically two seasons; dry season and wet season. Dry season lasts from around April until September when the temperature remains steady in the mid-30s, meaning it is an ideal climate for shorts, flip-flops and sassy shades.

The wet season generally runs from around October to March and although this may mean constant downpours for days on end when rainy season reaches its height, most days in the wet season will only experience rain for an hour or so and the cooling, clean air is very much appreciated. There is not really a bad time to visit Bali. Despite rainy season falling over December and January, Christmas and New Year are peak seasons in Bali with most accommodation booked out months in advance.

3. Beaches—With a seemingly endless coastline stretching hundreds of miles, there are dozens of breath-taking white sandy beaches in Bali to choose from, each holding huge appeal for holidaymakers. Watersports of course are countless with surfboarding taking number one spot – popular with beginners and professional athletes alike who can be found hitting the ocean waves. Padang Padang in Uluwatu hosts annual World Surf Championships and the event attracts world-class surfers from all corners of the world.

4. Diversity—The attraction of Bali is highly diverse in so many respects, and the locals strive to meet the demands of even the most discerning tourist. Firstly, no matter which area you’ve chosen to stay in Bali, the local community is integrated with the newer establishments. For example, you may sip delicious cocktails at the bar of a high-end luxury resort at prices on a par with the Western world, but then walk across the street to a local eatery for a £2 lunch.

This huge diversity makes Bali popular with every type of traveler. Backpackers stay in hostels and can be sighted partying in cheaper bars and clubs. Families can book suitable, comfortable accommodation and keep the children entertained with fun holiday attractions and activities—amongst the favorites are the Monkey Forest, Bali Safari and Marine Park.

Bali is a great destination for large groups of fun seekers who can enjoy the great thriving nightlife, epic beaches, boutique shops, and sightseeing attractions. There are so many different areas within Bali, some more touristy and crowded than others, but each holding unique appeal. Bali offers something for everyone whether that is shopping, surfing, relaxing, retreating, serenity-seeking, sight-seeing, attractions, exploring, or indulging in the wide options for food and drink.

5. Attractions & Adventures—There are many historical and cultural landmarks in Bali where Bail’s rich culture and heritage can be appreciated.  Various colorful festivals and ceremonies are annual events and spectating traditional Balinese dance, music or partaking in local cookery classes are great ways to learn more about the local culture.

6. Five Star Hotels and Luxury Villas—In years gone by, Bali’s tourism has been limited to travelling backpackers, keen surfers and holidaying Australians. Nowadays, Bali is accustomed to catering for luxury seeking holidaymakers and as such a plethora of world-class hotels, luxury private villas, and prestigious beach clubs on the coastline are now in abundance.

7. Restaurants, Bars and Clubs—For the hardened fun-loving partygoer, Bali does not sleep. Bars and beach club staff are always busy attending to their customers all day long and until the early hours of the morning. The bar and club scene in Bali is widespread and ranges from budget bar shacks on the beach to extravagant clubs for those on a classier night out.

8. Shopping—As already mentioned, arts and crafts are at the heart of Balinese culture and these make ideal souvenirs. Hand-made Artisan wares, beautifully designed textiles in the form of sarongs and pares and unusual hand-made knickknacks are widely available on sale in village shops and markets. Bali is home to hundreds of independent fashion designers who manufacture their clothing lines locally in Bali and set up boutique stores in the up-market tourist areas to sell their collections. And some might also be surprised to learn that Bali has quite a few huge shopping centers (malls), some of which are located on the beachfront.

9. Neighboring Islands—Bali is just one of around 18,000 islands in Indonesia making it the world’s largest archipelago. From Bali, you can take a boat trip to small, nearby islands such as Nusa Lembongan and the Gili Islands. Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan are smaller islands that sit to the South East of Bali. They can be reached in a 20-minute boat ride and as they are considered conservation areas they are not equipped with the same tourist infrastructure as Bali. BTNewspaper/Mark Tulloch Asia Holiday Retreats