SINGAPORE -- (Marketwired) -- 04/21/15

TripAdvisor™ (NASDAQ: TRIP), the world's largest travel site*, today announced its Travellers' Choice™ awards for Islands. This year's awards honour more than 100 islands worldwide including lists for Asia, Africa, Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, the U.K., and the U.S. The annual awards are based on the millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travellers across the globe.

"Our well-travelled community has uncovered the best islands around the world for that perfect island escape whether you want to lie on the beach or seek adventure," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "To help travellers book their trips to these remarkable destinations, TripAdvisor has surfaced amazing island hotels to accommodate a range of travel budgets."

All of the top 10 islands in Asia are located within the Southeast Asia region, with Ko Tao named the number one island in Asia, ahead of Bali and Phuket. Ko Tao and Bali were also amongst the top ten islands in the world, placing 5th and 7th respectively.

"We are thrilled that five of Thailand's islands have once again been featured within the top 10 islands in Asia for the 2015 Travellers' Choice awards. From the budget seekers to the luxury travellers, visitors will find that there is no shortage of possibilities for travellers of every type," said Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism & Sport for Thailand.

Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions on islands worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.

Top 10 Travellers' Choice Islands
World
1. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
2. Maui, Hawaii
3. Roatan, Honduras
4. Santorini, Greece
5. Ko Tao, Thailand
6. Madeira, Portugal
7. Bali, Indonesia
8. Mauritius, Africa
9. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
10. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Top 10 Travellers' Choice Islands
Asia
1. Ko Tao, Thailand
2. Bali, Indonesia
3. Phuket, Thailand
4. Ko Samui, Thailand
5. Lombok, Indonesia
6. Ko Lanta, Thailand
7. Ko Phangan, Thailand
8. Boracay, Philippines
9. Palawan, Philippines
10. Langkawi, Malaysia

For travellers planning an escape to a Travellers' Choice Island in Asia, TripAdvisor has identified the 2015 average hotel rate and highly-rated value, mid-range and high-end hotels with availability to book on TripAdvisor.

1.Ko Tao, Thailand

Average nightly hotel rate(1) for 2015: US$85.82
Value: Thalassa Hotel, Sairee Beach - US$59.66/night
Mid-range: Chintakiri Resort - US$88.71/night
High-end: The Place Luxury Boutique Villas - US$274.75/night

2.Bali, Indonesia

Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$157.23
Value: Junjungan Ubud Hotel and Spa, Ubud - US$75.51/night
Mid-range: Komaneka at Rasa Sayang, Ubud - US$241.31/night
High-end: The Samaya Bali, Ubud - US$437.63/night

3.Phuket, Thailand

Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$96.72
Value: Navatara Phuket Resort, Rawai - US$76.03/night
Mid-range: Mandarava Resort and Spa, Karon - US$165.48/night
High-end: Point Yamu Resort by Como, Pa Khlok - US$323.91/night

4.Ko Samui, Thailand

Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$106.81
Value: Sallamai Resort, Lamai Beach - US$54.88/night
Mid-range: Lanna Samui, Bophut - US$118.44/night
High-end: Sandalwood Luxury Villas, Maret - US$282.49/night

5.Lombok, Indonesia

Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$227.12
Value: Living Asia Resort and Spa Lombok, Sengigi - US$106.94/night
Mid-range: Jeeva Klui Resort, Mangsit - US$197.26/night
High-end: The Lombok Lodge, Tanjung - US$508.57/night

6. Ko Lanta, Thailand

Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$64.62
Value: Lanta Pearl Beach Resort - US$40.34/night
Mid-range: LaLaanta Hideaway Resort - US$74.42/night
High-end: Pimalai Resort and Spa - US$343.42/night

7.Ko Phangan, Thailand

Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$62.07
Value: Tantawan Bungalow - US$35.89/night
Mid-range: Sunset Hill Resort - US$69.53/night
High-end: Buri Rasa Koh Phangan - US$226.89/night

8. Boracay, Philippines

Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$106.03
Value: Island Jewel Inn - US$45.54/night
Mid-range: Boracay Beach Club, Station 1 - US$118.56/night
High-end: Discovery Shores Boracay, Station 1 - US$436.36/night

9.Palawan, Philippines

Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$94.16
Value: Floral Villarosa Pool, Puerto Princesa - US$50.66/night
Mid-range: Sophia's Garden Resort, Coron - US$115.51/night
High-end: Club Paradise Palawan, Coron - US$315.31/night

10.Langkawi, Malaysia

Average nightly hotel rate for 2015: US$67.12
Value: Sunset Beach Resort, Pantai Cenang - US$53.92/night
Mid-range: Adya Hotel Langkawi, Kuah - US$77.65/night
High-end: The Danna Langkawi, Malaysia, Pantai Kok - US$321.71/night

For the complete list of winners from the 2015 Travellers' Choice Islands, as well as reviews and candid traveller photos, go to: http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/TravellersChoice-Islands.

To see the best hotels for luxury, bargain, romance and more, as honoured in the 2015 Travellers' Choice awards for Hotels announced in January, go to: http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/TravellersChoice-Hotels.

Notes to editors:
(1)Average hotel rates are based on TripAdvisor data for January 1 through December 31, 2015, for all hotels on each island. Rates are aggregated from booking partners, including online travel agencies and direct hotel suppliers.

Company logo
http://release.media-outreach.com/i/Download/2671

About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor® is the world's largest travel site*, enabling travellers to plan and book the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from travellers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools that check hundreds of websites to find the best hotel prices. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 315 million unique monthly visitors**, and more than 200 million reviews and opinions covering more than 4.5 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 45 countries worldwide. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to millions of monthly TripAdvisor visitors.

TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) manages and operates websites under 24 other travel media brands: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.everytrail.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl and www.besttables.com), www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travelpod.com, www.tripbod.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com, www.viator.com, www.virtualtourist.com, and www.kuxun.cn.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, December 2014

**Source: Google Analytics, average monthly unique users, Q3 2014

Media Contact:
TripAdvisor APAC
Iris Leong
T +65-6871-5160
Email Contact