Methodology version 1.0

Rank Asia turns a specific travel question into a bounded comparison. The method is designed to make editorial judgment inspectable, not to disguise it as laboratory certainty.

1. Start with the decision

Each article names its intended traveler, geographic scope, trip shape, and eligibility rule. A destination excluded from one shortlist is not being declared unworthy; it may simply fall outside that decision.

2. Choose the honest format

Scored rankings are used when every candidate can be assessed against the same meaningful criteria. Weights total 100%. Each criterion receives a 0–10 editorial score supported by the cited evidence. The overall score is the weighted average rounded to one decimal.

Editorial rankings are used when precise scores would be artificial. The order still follows published selection criteria, but no number is added merely to look scientific.

3. Use consistent scoring anchors

• 0–2: the criterion is largely unavailable or creates major planning friction.
• 3–4: limited usefulness with substantial caveats.
• 5–6: workable for a prepared visitor but not consistently easy.
• 7–8: strong and useful for the intended trip.
• 9–10: unusually complete, clear, or dependable within the shortlist.

Scores are comparative within the declared shortlist. They are not permanent grades for a city, country, culture, or community.

4. Calculate without hidden tie-breaking

The published criterion scores and weights calculate the overall score automatically. Equal overall scores share a displayed rank; tied entries are alphabetized. Editors do not add a secret tie-breaker after seeing the result.

5. Source and date the work

Official tourism bodies, transport operators, airports, governments, and attraction operators are preferred for mutable facts. Every ranking shows the evidence date, source list, and next review date. Research-led work never claims a visit or test that did not happen.

6. Correct and revise visibly

Factual errors are corrected promptly. A material change to eligibility, criteria, weights, or scores is recorded in the article and may produce a new methodology version. Ordinary link repairs and copy edits do not change the version.