TripAdvisor Reveals the Most Affordable Island Destinations in Southeast Asia in TripIndex Island Sun

           Koh Samui offers the best value for domestic travellers this year when it comes to an island getaway, according to a cost comparison report released today by TripAdvisor™, the world’s largest travel site*.           The results are taken from the second annual TripIndex Island Sun report, which compares the cost of a day out and an overnight stay for two in sixteen popular island destinations across Southeast Asia. The study takes into account the combined costs for two people to enjoy a one night stay in a four-star hotel, a two-course meal with coconut juice, beers, a massage as well as rental of bicycles and kayaks.           The most affordable Thai island for a day out and an overnight stay for travellers is Koh Samui, with a TripIndex cost of ฿8,856.82. For the more adventurous who prefer to travel overseas, Indonesian island Gili Trawangan heads the list as the most affordable island destination with a TripIndex cost of ฿7,206.74. At the other end of the spectrum, a trip to Sentosa in Singapore will cost over three times more at ฿25,574.25.          “TripIndex Island Sun gives Thai travellers an overview of where their money will stretch the furthest as they plan their upcoming end-of-year holiday getaway. This year’s results show that despite their popularity, Indonesia and Thailand are still home to some of the most affordable island getaways in Southeast Asia with Gili Trawangan, Bali and Koh Samui topping the list,” commented Jean Ow-Yeong, TripAdvisor spokesperson.           “Travellers who still want to visit the more expensive islands can still find ways to reduce the cost of the trip by visiting TripAdvisor destination pages where they can search for hotels and restaurants more in-line with their budget,” she continued.Indonesia Dominates with Most Affordable Islands           This year’s results show that travellers heading to islands in Indonesia can expect to save the most, with Gili Trawangan (#1), Bali (#2) and Lombok (#4) ranking amongst the top five most affordable islands at combined TripIndex costs of ฿7,206.74, ฿8,308.25 and ฿8,919.41 respectively.           Gili Trawangan and Bali were also recognised amongst the top ten islands in Asia, ranking fifth and second in the 2014 Travellers’ Choice Islands Awards respectively. BaliGili Trawangan Popular Thai Islands Among the Most Affordable          Some of Thailand’s best-loved islands remain good value for travellers with Koh Samui, Phuket and Koh Phi Phi Don ranked third, sixth and tenth in the region, at TripIndex costs of ฿8,856.82, ฿10,343.21 and ฿12,968.92 respectively.          Koh Samui offers good value and is the most affordable Thai island in the region. The popular destination is also home to popular Coco Splash Water Park, which placed seventh in Asia in the 2014 Travellers’ Choice Attraction Awards.