- A record number of travel providers are recognized for their hospitality with a Traveller Review Award in 2023, a total of 1.36 million, of which 4,009 in Sweden.
- For the sixth year in a row, apartments (629,421) are the accommodation type that receives the most awards globally, while in Sweden it is holiday homes that have received the most awards (933), followed by hotels (726) and apartments (645).
- Almost every tenth resident worldwide who is awarded the award has also received recognition in the form of the ”Sustainable Choice” symbol for their efforts to run a more sustainable business.
- Polignano a Mare in Italy makes its debut on the list, taking first place in this year’s list of the world’s most welcoming destinations. La Rioja in Spain, also new to the list, is named the most welcoming region in the world in 2023.
Travel continues to be on the rise in most parts of the world. At the 11th edition of Booking.com’s annual Traveller Review Awards, travel providers from 220 countries and territories are recognized for outstanding service and hospitality over the past year. Based on more than 240 million verified guest reviews on Booking.com, 1,364,415 accommodation partners, 230 car rental providers and 58 air taxi providers will receive a Traveller Review Award in 2023. Italy is once again at the top in 2023 with a total of 170,638 awards for properties, followed by Spain (108,217), France (103,365), Germany (76,479), Croatia (64,206), Poland (60,721), the United Kingdom (60,697), Greece (54,473), Brazil (53,658) and the United States (46,839).
Holiday homes have received the most awards in Sweden
The accommodation type that has received the most awards globally – apartments – takes home first place for the sixth year in a row, with a total of 629,421 partners recognized for their efforts in the 2023 edition of the Traveller Review Awards. Looking at Sweden, it is holiday home (933) who have received the most awards, followed by hotel (726), apartments (645), bed & breakfast accommodations (497) and hostel (184). When it comes to unique accommodations, Sweden has a total of 2882 houses, apartments and other unique places to live that will receive the award in 2023.
A more sustainable travel experience
Almost one in ten award recipients in the accommodation category around the world (122,095) have also been awarded the symbol ”Sustainable choice”for their efforts to operate a more sustainable business. In fact, properties participating in Booking.com’s sustainability program were three times more likely to receive a Traveller Review Award in 2023 compared to properties not awarded the ”Sustainable Choice” symbol. Hotels were the property type with the highest proportion of Sustainable Choice symbols to receive a Traveller Review Award in 2023 (15 %).
Christin Schmidt, Regional Manager Nordics at Booking.com, says: ”It’s that personal touch at check-in, or tips on how to experience a destination like a local, that shows how our partners go the extra mile to help travelers in so many different ways every day. The Traveller Review Awards are our way of thanking them for their dedication to making everyone feel welcome and for going the extra mile to create amazing experiences for our customers. From a friendly taxi driver at the airport to leaving a little personal note in your room, our passionate partners really help make every trip extra special.”
The world's most welcoming places 2023
This year’s most welcoming places are spread across five continents and include hidden coastal gems and rural destinations with breathtaking natural beauty – as well as a vibrant Latin American metropolis. All selected based on the percentage of properties that received a 2023 Traveller Review Award*, they can provide even the most seasoned traveler with inspiration for future trips.
The world's most welcoming destinations 2023
- Polignano a Mare, Italy
- Hualien City, Taiwan
- San Sebastian, Spain
- Dresden, Germany
- Klaipeda, Lithuania
- York, United Kingdom
- Ushuaia, Argentina
- Porto De Galinhas, Brazil
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Gold Coast, Australia
.
The world's most welcoming regions 2023*
- Rioja, Spain
- Epirus, Greece
- Upper Austria, Austria
- County Down, United Kingdom
- Mures, Romania
- Marlborough, New Zealand
- Ninh Binh, Vietnam
- Lemon, Costa Rica
- Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- North Dakota, United States
Source: According to Press Release.
