State tourism committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said Penang secured the seventh position on the prestigious list, alongside Kuala Lumpur (eighth) and Sabah (10th).

According to the ranking, Bangkok topped the list, followed by Tokyo and Bali, which were both in second place.

Other destinations on the list include Chiang Mai (Thailand) in third place; Seoul (South Korea) and Luang Prabang (Laos), sharing fourth place; and Hong Kong, Phuket (Thailand) and Rajasthan (India) jointly occupying fifth place.

In a Facebook post, Wong said two Penang hotels were also recognised for their excellence, namely the Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang, which was named among the top 10 wedding hotels in Asia, and Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort, which was listed as one of the top 10 family hotels in the region.

He said these accolades highlight Penang’s status not only as a top travel destination but also as a premier location for weddings and family holidays, contributing significantly to the state’s tourism sector.