- Backed by hundreds of millions of verified guest reviews, 1.81 million partners in 221 countries and territories are awarded this year's awards.
- Italy (214,666), France (170,596), Spain (152,292), Germany (111,685) and the United Kingdom (93,989) consolidate their place among the top five countries with the most award winners.
- Campsites, villas, and ryokans are the accommodation types seeing the highest increase in awards.
Booking.com announces the recipients of its 14th annual Traveller Review Awards. The awards, which are based on more than 370 million verified reviews from travellers worldwide, celebrate partners who consistently deliver outstanding hospitality across the globe.
In 2026, 1.81 million travel partners in 221 countries and territories will be recognized with a Traveller Review Award, reflecting the increasing scope and diversity of global travel. Recipients include 1,817,848 accommodation providers, 1,977 car rental company and 137 airport transfer providers.
Italy leads for the ninth consecutive year with 214,666 award-winning partners, followed by France (170,596) and Spain (152,292). Germany (111,685) and the UK (93,989) complete the top five. Brazil climbs two places to sixth (80,791), while the US (77,949) and Poland (72,619) occupy seventh and eighth places respectively. Greece (71,230) and Croatia (58,707) round out the top ten.
Award-winning hospitality 2026
At a time when travelers are seeking authenticity more than ever, the Traveller Review Awards highlight the partners who consistently deliver memorable and reliable service, with accommodations remaining at the center. Globally, apartmentsremains the most awarded accommodation type for the ninth year in a row with 901,481 awarded accommodation units, followed by holiday home (287,464) and hotel (197,658). During the same period, camping or villas the largest increase in the number of awardees compared to the previous year, with 15 % each, followed by the ryokaner with 13 %. These patterns highlight travellers’ continued interest in unique, characterful accommodation that offers an authentic connection to the place. In Sweden, a total of 6,129 properties received a Traveller Review Award. Holiday homes (1,886) are the accommodation type that received the most awards, followed by apartments (1,296), hotels (967), villas (425) and bed and breakfasts (413).
”From welcoming hosts who go above and beyond for their guests” stay, to experienced taxi drivers who share local tips, these personal touches can make a trip truly unique for travelers,” says James Waters, Chief Business Officer at Booking.com. ”The Traveler Review Awards continue to shine a spotlight on our deserving partners who help create lifelong memories for travelers. It’s our way of saying ”thank you” from all of us at Booking.com and from hundreds of millions of travelers around the world.”
Countries experiencing the greatest growth
While countries that have historically received a large number of awards continue to shine, some of the year’s most exciting stories come from countries that have seen a significant increase in the number of recipients. Bulgaria leads the way with a staggering increase of 68 % compared to 2025, followed by South Korea (46 %) and China (39 %). Japan (29 %) and Norway (19 %) also make the top five, reflecting the commitment of local hosts to delivering memorable and authentic guest experiences.
2026 list of the world's most welcoming places
The World’s Most Welcoming Places of the Year, based on the percentage of accommodation partners awarded a Traveller Review Award in 2026, highlights destinations where guests feel personally, authentically and thoughtfully cared for. From historic villages in the Italian mountains, to coastal towns in Taiwan and laid-back beach resorts in Australia, these destinations offer hospitality that leaves a lasting impression with thoughtful touches, warm encounters and hosts who go the extra mile to make your trip truly memorable.
The world's most welcoming destination in 2026:
- Montepulciano, Italy
- Mahogany, Taiwan
- San Martin de los Andes, Argentina
- Harrogate, United Kingdom
- Fredericksburg, Texas, United States
- Pirenopolis, Brazil
- Swakopmund, Namibia
- Takayama, Japan
- Noosa Heads, Australia
- Klaipeda, Lithuania
Read more about what the above unique places have to offer in this destination guide.
The most welcoming travel destinations in Sweden in 2026:
- Bastad, Skane
- Sälen, Dalarna
- Visby, Gotland
- Kiruna, Lapland
- Linkoping, Ostergotland
Zooming in on Sweden, Båstad in Skåne takes first place as the country's most welcoming destination in 2026. The charming coastal town attracts with its beaches, scenic surroundings, lively summer activities and relaxed atmosphere. The list includes well-known favorites such as the popular winter and ski resort Sälen, the historic Hanseatic city of Visby and the Arctic adventure gem Kiruna. The university city of Linköping also takes a place in the top five, showing that Sweden's most hospitable destinations can be found from the coast to the mountains and everything in between.
