TripAdvisor reveals the most affordable island destinations in South East Asia in TripIndex Island Sun
Gili Trawangan offered the best value for Malaysian travellers this year when it came to an island getaway, according to a cost comparison report by TripAdvisor™.
The results were taken from the second annual TripIndex Island Sun report, which compared the cost of a day out and an overnight stay for two in 16 popular island destinations across South East Asia. The study takes into account the combined costs for two people to enjoy a one night stay in a four-star hotel, a two-course meal, drinks, a massage as well as rental of bicycles and kayaks.
The most affordable island for a day out and an overnight stay for Malaysian travellers is Gili Trawangan in Indonesia, with a total TripIndex cost of USD221.62. At the other end of the spectrum, a trip to Sentosa will cost three times more at USD786.36.
“TripIndex Island Sun gives Malaysian travellers an overview of where their money will stretch the furthest as they plan their upcoming end-of-year holiday getaway. This year’s results show that despite their popularity, Indonesia and Thailand are still home to some of the most affordable island getaways in Southeast Asia with Gili Trawangan, Bali and Koh Samui topping the list,” commented Jean Ow-Yeong, TripAdvisor spokesperson.
Indonesia Dominates with Most Affordable Islands
This year’s results showed that travellers heading to islands in Indonesia saved the most, with Gili Trawangan (#1), Bali (#2) and Lombok (#4) ranking amongst the top five most affordable islands at combined TripIndex costs of USD221.26, USD255.50 and USD274.29, respectively.
Gili Trawangan and Bali were also recognised amongst the top ten islands in Asia, ranking fifth and second in the 2014 Travellers’ Choice Islands Awards respectively.
Penang the Most Affordable Malaysian Island
Penang island, with a TripIndex cost of USD361.24, was the most affordable Malaysian Island at ninth place. Pulau Redang (#11), Pulau Tioman (#12) and Langkawi (#13) were the other Malaysian islands included in this study, with total costs of USD434.78, USD459.06 and USD484.43, respectively.
Penang was also home to the most affordable stay in a 4-star hotel room, costing travellers USD120.82, while for the same in Palawan, it was more than three times the price at USD417.57. However, Palawan was also home to the most affordable meals, drinks and massage for two, with a meal for two costing USD18.41, drinks for two at USD2.23 and massage for two at a spa in a four-star hotel at USD37.13.
Other Islands More Affordable but Sentosa Home to World-Class Attractions
With the highest total TripIndex cost, Sentosa recorded the biggest costs for meals, drinks, bicycle rental and massage for two. However, the island is home to a wide selection of themed attractions suitable for the whole family, including Singapore’s first integrated resort, Resorts World Sentosa, which operates South East Asia’s first Universal Studios theme park, S.E.A. Aquarium, Maritime Experiential Museum and the Adventure Cove Waterpark.
Universal Studios Singapore and S.E.A. Aquarium were also awarded the 2014 Travellers’ Choice Attractions Awards, placing first and seventh in Asia in the Amusement Parks and Aquariums categories respectively. Sentosa also provides free transportation within the island with the Sentosa Bus, Sentosa Express, and Beach Trams.
