Only just announced by Booking.com, the Greek Region of Epirus ranked second among the most welcoming destinations on Earth for 2023.
According to the platform, as travel continues to return in most parts of the world, the eleventh annual Booking.com Traveller Review Awards recognize travel providers from across 220 countries and territories for their commitment to consistently providing excellent service and hospitality over the year.
Based on over 240 million verified customer reviews on Booking.com, 1,364,415 accommodation partners, 230 car rental providers, and 58 airport taxi suppliers are receiving a Traveller Review Award in 2023. Italy leads the way again in 2023 with a total of 170,638 accommodation awards, followed by Spain (108,217), France (103,365), Germany (76,479), Croatia (64,206), Poland (60,721), the UK (60,697), Greece (54,473), Brazil (53,658) and the US (46,839).
Apartments and homes continue to shine.
As the most-awarded property type globally, apartments take the top spot for the sixth year in a row, with 629,421 partners being recognized for their efforts in the 2023 edition of the Traveller Review Awards. For the very first time in the history of the awards, holiday homes (177,795) have claimed the second spot from hotels (172,036), with guest houses (91,635) and bed and breakfasts (78,247) rounding out the top five. When it comes to the countries being recognized with the most awards for homes, apartments, and other unique places to stay, Italy (153,895), Spain (98,788), France (94,285), Germany (64,748), and Croatia (63,219) lead the way.
A more sustainable traveller experience
Nearly one in ten accommodation award recipients globally (122,095) have also been recognized with a Travel Sustainable badge for their efforts to operate more sustainably. Travel Sustainable accommodations were three times more likely to receive a Traveller Review Award 2023 than those not recognized with a Travel Sustainable badge. Of all accommodation types, hotels had the highest share of Travel Sustainable accommodations (15%), receiving a Traveller Review Award in 2023.
Helping travellers get from A to B
This is the fourth year Booking.com recognizes in-trip transport providers for their consistently excellent service, with 230 car rental companies from across 150 countries picking up a Traveller Review Award 2023. Car rental companies in Spain are being recognized with the most 2023 awards (23), followed by Greece (21), France (14), Italy (13) and Portugal (11). In addition, 58 airport taxi providers, representing 6,131 drivers from across 120 countries, are also being recognized with a 2023 award. Companies in Spain are again receiving the most awards (11 providers representing 442 drivers), followed by Greece (7 providers representing 1,196 drivers), Italy (5 providers representing 315 drivers), Poland (3 providers representing 524 drivers) and Portugal (3 providers representing 655 drivers).
Arjan Dijk, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer for Booking.com, commented: “It’s that personal attention to detail when checking in or sharing helpful recommendations to explore the destination like a local that demonstrates how our partners show up and shine for travellers in a multitude of ways every day. These awards are our way of thanking them for their dedication to making everyone feel welcome and for going out of their way to create incredible customer experiences. Whether it’s a friendly greeting from a taxi driver at the airport, sharing local driving tips at the car rental counter, or a thoughtful note waiting in the room, our passionate partners help make every trip more special.”
2023’s Most Welcoming Places on Earth
This year’s Most Welcoming Places on Earth span five continents and feature hidden coastal gems, rural destinations surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, and even a bustling Latin American metropolis. They have all been identified based on the share of accommodation partners receiving a Traveller Review Award 2023 and providing even the most seasoned traveller with bucket list inspiration for future trips.
2023’s Most Welcoming Cities On Earth
Polignano a Mare, Italy
Hualien City, Taiwan
San Sebastián, Spain
Dresden, Germany
Klaipeda, Lithuania
York, UK
Ushuaia, Argentina
Porto De Galinhas, Brazil
Mexico City, Mexico
Gold Coast, Australia
Check out this destination guide for more about exploring and experiencing all these welcoming cities.
2023’s Most Welcoming Regions On Earth
La Rioja, Spain
Epirus, Greece
Oberosterreich, Austria
County Down, UK
Mures, Romania
Marlborough, New Zealand
Ninh Binh, Vietnam
Limon, Costa Rica
Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
North Dakota, US
