Traveller reviews have become a powerful barometer of destination credibility in a crowded global tourism market. Booking.com’s Traveller Review Awards 2026 place Himachal Pradesh among the world’s most welcoming regions, reinforcing India’s hospitality appeal while highlighting service-led destinations that consistently meet evolving traveller expectations.
Himachal Pradesh has been named among the Top 10 Most Welcoming Regions on Earth in Booking.com’s Traveller Review Awards 2026. The state has also retained its position as India’s most welcoming region for the third consecutive year, according to the global travel platform.
The recognition forms part of the 14th edition of the annual Traveller Review Awards, which are based on more than 370 million verified reviews from travellers worldwide. The awards honour partners that consistently deliver high standards of hospitality and service across accommodation and transport categories.
Globally, a record 1.81 million partners have been recognised in 2026, representing a 5 per cent increase over the previous year. This includes 1,817,848 accommodation providers, 1,977 car rental companies, and 137 airport transfer suppliers. In India, 17,575 travel partners received the awards, up from 15,674 in 2025.
Global recognition for welcoming regions
The list of 2026’s Most Welcoming Regions on Earth is determined by the share of accommodation partners in a region receiving a Traveller Review Award, relative to the total number of eligible properties. Destinations must also have an above-average number of award recipients to qualify.
Alongside Himachal Pradesh, the global list features regions such as Hidalgo in Mexico, Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, Navarra in Spain, Idaho in the United States, Sachsen in Germany, Phang Nga in Thailand, Overijssel in the Netherlands, Epirus in Greece, and Chiriqui in Panama. These regions were recognised for delivering authentic, personal, and consistently positive guest experiences.
Booking.com noted that Himachal Pradesh’s recognition reflects its combination of Himalayan landscapes and a deeply ingrained culture of hospitality, spanning accommodation types from homestays to luxury retreats.
India’s most welcoming destinations
Within India, Himachal Pradesh topped the list of most welcoming regions for the third consecutive year, followed by Kerala and Goa. Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Puducherry, Assam, Karnataka, and Haryana also featured among the top regions.
At the city level, Bir in Himachal Pradesh was named India’s most welcoming city for the second year in a row. Mararikulam in Kerala ranked second, followed by Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Other Indian destinations recognised included McLeod Ganj, Mukteswar, Khajuraho, Bhim Tal, Manali, Hampi, and Mandrem.
Accommodation trends across India
The awards also highlighted accommodation preferences and service standards across India. Hotels emerged as the most welcoming accommodation type, with 6,650 award recipients. Homestays followed with 2,652 winners, reflecting demand for personalised experiences, while apartments accounted for 1,984 awardees. Resorts and guest houses recorded 1,338 and 1,218 award recipients, respectively.
Cities with the highest number of awarded properties in India included Bengaluru, New Delhi, Jaipur, Varanasi, and Kochi.
Commenting on the awards, Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager, South Asia, Booking.com, said, “From personalised recommendations to thoughtful touches, our partners in India consistently go the extra mile to create extraordinary experiences for travellers. The Traveller Review Awards are our way of recognising these hospitality heroes and expressing gratitude from Booking.com and millions of travellers from all around the world. We are especially delighted to see Himachal Pradesh being recognised as one of the Most Welcoming Regions, reflecting both the region’s natural beauty and the dedication of its accommodation partners.”
The Traveller Review Awards are based on average guest review scores, with accommodation partners required to achieve a minimum rating of 8.0 out of 10 from verified travellers to qualify.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.
