Booking is proud to announce the recipients of the 13th annual Traveller Review Awards. Based on over 360 million verified customer reviews, the awards recognize travel partners who consistently deliver outstanding hospitality and service. In 2025, 1.71 million partners will be recognized – a record and an increase of 16% compared to the previous year. These include 1,711,539 properties, 1,329 car rental companies and 124 taxi providers.
For the eighth consecutive year, Italy is the country with the most recipients of the award (207,730), followed by France (155,203), Spain (147,700), Germany (102,031) and the UK (88,209). The rest of the top 10 list is made up of the USA (70,259) in sixth place, followed by Poland (69,709), Brazil (67,876), Greece (66,994) and Croatia (56,648).
Apartments and vacation homes still top the list of accommodation types
Apartments remain the accommodation type with the most awards (847,627), for the eighth consecutive year. Vacation homes (259,105) maintain their second place, surpassing hotels (190,670) for the third consecutive year. Notably, capsule hotel awards increased by 35 % year-on-year, the largest growth among accommodation types, followed by villas (25 %) and cabins (21 %). The number of awards for vacation rentals and other unique accommodation types increased by 17 % overall, reflecting travelers’ continued enthusiasm for a variety of accommodations that offer unique hospitality and memorable experiences. In Sweden, holiday homes (1,629) have received the most awards, followed by apartments (1,109) and hotels (870), bed & breakfast accommodations (408) and villas (337).
Since 2010, over 4.5 billion guests have arrived at places to stay through Booking.com, with over 1 billion arriving at alternative or non-hotel accommodations. Today, travelers can search from over 30 types of accommodations – everything from cozy country houses, cool city apartments and elegant villas to charming B&Bs, spacious farmhouses and beach bungalows. For the adventurous traveler, there are even boats, igloos and treehouses.
Transportation providers receive recognition for excellent service and hospitality
Booking.com’s car rental and taxi services are essential to ensuring a smooth and frictionless travel experience for travelers, and contribute to the goal of making it easier for everyone to experience the world. This year, 1,329 car rental partners from 100 countries received a Traveller Review Award, an increase of 196 % compared to the 2024 edition of the awards. The US has the most car rental companies receiving the award (181), taking the top spot for the first time. They are followed by Spain (113), the UK (106), Germany (92) and France (88). In addition, a total of 124 taxi providers around the world are recognized for their smooth pick-ups.
”Whether it’s a taxi driver giving tips on where to find the best local food or an apartment owner surprising a couple with champagne and roses to help them celebrate their anniversary, our partners go the extra mile to create amazing experiences for travelers,” says James Waters, Chief Business Officer at Booking.com.
”Our annual Traveller Review Awards are a way to highlight these heroes of the travel industry and say thank you to them, not just from us at Booking.com, but from hundreds of millions of travellers worldwide.”
The world's most welcoming places
The list of the world’s most welcoming places is based on the percentage of accommodation partners that receive a Traveller Review Award in a given city. This year’s list highlights destinations from around the world with great diversity. Coffee plantations, pristine beaches, medieval hidden gems and jungle villages – these destinations showcase the diverse charm and hospitality found in the world and inspire unforgettable adventures in the year ahead.
The world's most welcoming cities in 2025:
- Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
- Cazorla, Spain
- Urubici, Brazil
- Taupo, New Zealand
- St. Augustine, United States
- Orvieto, Italy
- Manizales, Colombia
- Quedlinburg, Germany
- Koh Lanta, Thailand
- Chester, United Kingdom
Read more about what these memorable places have to offer in this destination guide.
The world's most welcoming regions in 2025:
- Osijek-Baranja, Croatia
- Kakheti, Georgia
- Madeira, Portugal
- Missions, Argentina
- Grisons, Switzerland
- South Australia, Australia
- Brittany, France
- Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Kien Giang, Vietnam
- Drenthe, Netherlands
