Adventure-seekers and intrepid globetrotters looking to blaze new trails in Southeast Asia will want to consider adding Sri Lanka to their travel bucket list, after the country claimed the title of leading destination and leading adventure tourism destination for Asia over the weekend.
The country was also named the leading adventure tourism destination.
Winners are based on an online voting process cast by industry leaders and travel professionals.
Sri Lanka has been emerging as an interesting travel alternative to Thailand, for its beaches, wildlife safaris and adventure tours.
Along with its native land mammals — elephants, leopards and wild buffalos — the island’s marine surroundings make the destination one of the best for whale and dolphin watching.
Sri Lanka is also known among thrill-seekers for offering top-notch surfing and diving experiences, jungle treks, hikes and elephant-riding and rock-climbing adventures.
Other big winners of the night include The Oberoi Udaivilas in India, which took home the title of Asia’s leading hotel 2017 and The Peninsula Hong Kong, which was named Asia’s leading luxury hotel 2017.
For Australasia, the Pullman Sydney Hyde Park in Australia was named the leading hotel, and Yasawa Islands in Fiji Australasia’s leading destination.
Here are some of the big winners from the gala event:
Asia
Leading airline: Hainan Airlines
Leading airline economy class: Cathay Pacific
Leading beach destination: Thailand
Leading boutique hotel: Casa Del Mar Langkawi, MalaysiaLeading city break destination: Hong Kong
Leading cruise line: Star Cruises
Leading fine dining and hotel restaurant: La Maison 1888 InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Vietnam
Leading low-cost airline: AirAsia
Australasia
Leading airline: Air New Zealand
Leading private island resort: Laucala Island, Fiji
Most romantic resort: The Remort Resort, Fiji Islands