Source: The Nation (By Agencies)

Bangkok was voted the world’s best city for 2008 and the Galapagos were picked as the best islands in an online poll by Travel + Leisure magazine, winning over last year’s winners Florence, Italy and Bali, Indonesia.

US-based magazine readers also voted Singita Sabi Sand, at the Kruger National Park, South Africa, as the world’s top hotel while Singapore Airlines grabbed the best airline award again.

It was the first time that Bangkok and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador topped their respective categories, said Nancy Novogrod, editor-in-chief of Travel + Leisure.

Last year, Bangkok was ranked number 3 and the Galapagos number 8. The 2007 winners of best city and best island — Florence and Bali — fell to number 5 and number 2 respectively.

Singapore Airlines was voted number one, followed by Emirates, Thai Airways and Cathay Pacific.

Last year’s number one hotel, the Oberoi Udaivilas in India, fell to number 4 this year. Singita Sabi Sands was voted the number two hotel in 2007.

The results were complied from votes by magazine subscribers in an Internet poll which went live between January and March. Travel + Leisure will honour winners on July 24 in New York City.

Bangkok voted world’s best city in travel poll

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