Club Med has named Bali as the world’s happiest holiday destination in a survey weighing up factors including crime, safety and pollution, as well as the price of a drink.
Other factors contributing to “happiness” were the number of outdoor activities and day trips available in a destination, plus LGBTQ+ friendliness.
Bali edged out gaming mecca Las Vegas as a happy place, the latter perhaps not the happiest of places when punters lose big time at the roulette tables.
For Bali, though, a cheap bottle of Bintang beer is keeping everyone happy.
Bali deputy governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati urged tourism stakeholders to increase efforts to maintain the ‘happy’ title.
"It is not easy to achieve the feat. We need to maintain (the title), and we hope all residents, directly involved in the tourism industry or not, work together for Bali," the deputy governor said.
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, in Bali on tourism business last week, added, "Bali indeed makes us happy. I only landed here less than three hours back, and I am already happy. If you seek healing and want to boost your feelings or feel refreshed, then just come to Bali.”
Club Med is planning to add 17 new resorts globally by 2024. In Asia, Club Med Phuket will be renovated and extended, while new resorts will appear at Club Med Kiroro Japan (opening Dec. 2022) and Club Med Borneo Kota Kinabalu Malaysia (2024)
The happiest holiday destinations in the world, according to Club Med:
1. Bali
2. Las Vegas
3. New Orleans
4. Barcelona
5. Amsterdam
6. Budapest
7. Vancouver
8. San Francisco
9. Dubai
10. Rio de Janeiro