Southeast Asian island stands among top 10 most welcoming cities worldwide
Penang Island of Malaysia has been ranked among the world's 10 most welcoming destinations for visitors, according to a study by travel eSIM provider Holafly.
Malaysia's Penang island has secured a spot among the top 10 most welcoming cities globally, ranking sixth in a 2026 Holafly study. The island scored 63.07 out of 100 points, placing it just behind London but ahead of Sydney. Only Singapore and Penang achieved such high rankings in the Southeast Asian region. Other top destinations included London, Sydney, The Hague, Hong Kong, Boston, New York City, and Aarhus in Denmark.
Holafly evaluated 200 cities and urban areas, considering factors such as English proficiency, social support, tourism services, safety, and visa/openness scores. Penang's strong performance was particularly notable in visa openness, where it scored 167, surpassing Singapore's 164. The island also boasted a high safety score of 70.6.
Despite its position in the top 10, Penang has room for improvement in visitor support, as it currently offers only four tourism and information assistance services.
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