Tag: Booking.com

Aman Rawat joins Creativeland Asia as executive creative director

MUMBAI: Creativeland Asia (CLA) has appointed Aman Rawat as its new executive creative director. Based in the Delhi office, Rawat brings extensive experience in brand storytelling, technology, and new-age media.

“Rawat’s expertise in blending brand narratives with cutting-edge tech aligns perfectly with CLA’s vision,” said CLA group chief creative officer Azazul Haque. “His work at Mediamonks and beyond makes him a valuable addition to our leadership.”

Rawat has worked with top agencies, including Grasshoppers, Digitas LBi, Cheil, Wunderman, and Repindia, and has led successful campaigns for brands like Booking.com, MTV, Tata Tea Gold, and Maruti. His portfolio spans major names such as Poco, Canon, Durex, Pringles, Tinder, and Amazon.

Rawat said, “For me, creativity is more than a process it’s a way of being. I look forward to pushing boundaries and contributing to CLA’s legacy of excellence.”

This appointment comes as CLA expands its presence in Delhi, focusing on AI, data analytics, and digital transformation to craft high-impact, result-driven campaigns.

February 28, 2025
Booking.com showcases its ‘Connected Trip’ vision with Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal

Mumbai: Booking.com, an online travel company, along with actor couple Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal teamed up with Booking.com’s country manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia – Santosh Kumar to enjoy a guided cooking experience, highlighting one of many exciting experiences and attractions available on Booking.com.

Planning a dream vacation can quickly turn into a logistical nightmare. A recent Booking.com survey reveals that nearly half (42 per cent) of Indians find trip planning stressful, including juggling flights, accommodations, car rentals, activities and the overall logistics. Booking.com, one of the world’s leading online travel companies, is addressing this need by orchestrating the best traveller experience and aiming to make every trip a connected trip.

Booking.com empowers Indian travellers to seamlessly plan and book all key aspects of their journey on the Booking.com platform, eliminating the need to navigate multiple websites and apps. From finding the right flight to booking the perfect stay, travellers can craft their ideal itinerary with ease. Additionally, options for car rentals, private airport transfers and a vast selection of exciting local activities are all readily available in one place, to create a frictionless travel experience.

With nearly half (48 per cent) of the Indian travellers choosing a destination to indulge in local cuisines, the event was a perfect blend of travel, food and memorable experiences. At the ‘The Connected Trip: A Culinary Experience’ event on 12 September 2024, Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal shared their food inspired travel stories while learning to prepare their favourite avocado and cucumber sushi and sattu ka paratha with eggplant and tomato chutney, a delicacy from Bihar reflecting on their local and global adventures and childhood memories. The event illustrated how Booking.com connects travellers with diverse, authentic and immersive experiences based on their needs and preferences.

Actor Sonakshi Sinha commented, “Travel is my passion. I love immersing myself in the destination’s culture, exploring the local markets and of course relishing the local cuisine. But planning is a bit of a headache. Juggling flights, accommodations and activities can be overwhelming. Thankfully, Booking.com has simplified this and travellers can now book various elements of their trip on one platform and enjoy a stress free holiday.”

Adding to this, actor Zaheer Iqbal said, “Food is integral to India’s culture. It has the power to unite people from all over the world. As someone who loves exploring local cuisines whenever I travel, I’m excited to be a part of this event showcasing Booking.com immersive experiences for Indian travellers. Travellers can easily book attractions like sushi making class in Japan or exploring Kolkata’s street food scene – everything in the palm of their hand.”

Booking.com leverages smart, data-powered predictive technologies, like machine learning and AI, to enhance the traveller experience further. By analysing past choices and preferences, Booking.com can suggest other useful services for their trip, such as car rental, dining reservations, tickets to attractions, and shuttle services, ultimately creating a personalised, AI-enhanced and truly connected booking experience.

“Today travellers are looking for seamless trip planning and travel experiences where they can search, book and manage different aspects of their trip on one platform,” said Booking.com’s country manager, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia – Santosh Kumar. “At Booking.com, we are dedicated to eliminating friction in travel by continuously innovating to address their evolving needs. Our ‘Connected Trip’ vision embodies this commitment by offering multiple elements of the travel experience in one place and providing seamless, end-to-end support throughout the entire journey. Today, we’re excited to see real progress with our vision for a ‘connected trip’. Today we are seeing real progress in our vision. According to our Booking Holdings Q2 2024 earnings, our connected transactions increased by 45 per cent y-o-y and continue to represent a high single digit percentage of Booking.com’s total transactions.”

He further added, “We are excited to have partnered with Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal to showcase how travellers can easily book just about every element of their trip on Booking.com – whether it’s renting a car, enrolling for a cooking class or booking an airport taxi – and easily create a travel experience.”

September 13, 2024
On World Music Day, Booking.com reveals Indian Travellers’ musical state of mind

Mumbai: Whether it’s seeking new adventures, taking in new sights and sounds, or just unwinding, there are many reasons Indians love to travel. One trend that has seen growth in recent years is music tourism with a growing number of travellers prioritising travel governed by cultural and significant events, including music festivals and concerts. This exciting fusion of travel and passion for music is experiencing a growth in interest among Indian travellers who are increasingly seeking experiences that resonate with their passions. According to Booking.com Travel Trends for 2024 data, 33 per cent of Indians are keen on taking a trip this year to attend an event like a music festival and concert.

On the occasion of World Music Day, which is celebrated around the world on June 21 to honour and rejoice in the spirit of music, Booking.com delves into the psyche of the Indian traveller to understand what is driving them to travel for music events.

Grooving to the beat: What’s inspiring Indian travellers to travel for music events

Music connects people across boundaries and inspires the journeys of those who are deeply immersed in it. According to Booking.com’s Travel Trends 2024 data, several motivators inspire Indians to travel for a music event.

Love for the music and artists: 69 per cent of Indians plan to travel for a music concert or festival event because of their unwavering passion for the musician and for the magic of a live performance

Connecting with loved ones: For 65 per cent of Indians, musical events are a catalyst for reunions or connecting with friends or family who live elsewhere.

Finding your tribe: Music creates communities. 58 per cent of Indians travel for a music event to connect with other fans and share their love for the artist or the band

An excuse to travel: For 54 per cent of Indians, travelling for music events becomes an enriching experience as the occasion becomes a perfect excuse to travel, immersing themselves in the destination’s culture and atmosphere.

Lack of a local option: 49 per cent of Indians travel for a music event unavailable near home.

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): 45 per cent of Indians travel for a music event due to the inability to get tickets for local music events. The inability to source tickets and the fear of missing out on the event becomes a driving factor for many.

June 20, 2024
How Indian travellers are finding value in sustainable travel

Mumbai: Indian travellers today are seeking mindful experiences that allow them to travel and discover new places while being conscious of the environment. According to Booking.com’s Sustainable Travel Report 2024, travelling inspires 75 per cent of Indian travellers to be more sustainable in their everyday lives and 93 per work want to ensure that trips they’re taking over the next year are more mindful and environmentally conscious.

Balancing travel with environmental responsibility

The desire to travel sustainably is evident among Indian travellers as 76 per cent of Indian travellers feel the environmental impacts of travel are important to them. At the same time, they are also cognizant that their travel has a broader impact on the environment as well as the destinations they visit. 73 per cent of Indian travellers are most likely to recognise the impact of their travel on the natural environment followed by local economies (62 per cent) and local communities (50 per cent). Travellers are also looking at destinations that complement their desire to support local businesses, embrace different cultures and provide opportunities for walking, using bicycles or public transport for travel.

With World Environment Day around the corner, Booking.com shares a list of destinations across India with a noteworthy number of accommodations with a credible third-party certification. From quaint coastal cities to cyclable towns, there’s a destination for every type of traveller that can help them have a more positive impact with their next trip, from check-in and beyond.

Top destinations with independent third-party sustainability certification in India*

Recognising the growing desire for mindful travel experiences, here are some of the destinations across India with the highest number of properties holding independent third-party sustainability certification (not ranked).

Bandipur

Coonoor

Kozhikode

Candolim

Agra

Jodhpur

Mumbai

Hyderabad

Vadodara

Chennai

Silver linings to clouds of doubt around sustainability

New areas of research in this year’s report have found that Indian travellers who are adopting and making more mindful travel choices feel that more sustainable travel experiences are adding value to their trips. Additionally, they believe that the potential for countering environmental impacts of travel/tourism comes from travel services like airlines and hotels (42 per cent) as well as travellers (41 per cent) and major sites and apps (38 per cent). This acts as a silver lining that can support travellers in balancing the adventure of exploration while still making responsible choices.

● The Best Version: 74 per cent of Indian travellers recognise that they are the best version of themselves when they travel more sustainably and consequently take home this positivity.

● Feeling Inspired: 75 per cent feel that witnessing sustainable practices while travelling inspires them to be more sustainable in their everyday life.

● Experiences: Local and Authentic: 95 per cent of Indians who did tours or activities for authentic, local and cultural experiences. Such local and cultural experiences help foster connections and take forward cultural exchange.

● Shopping Choices: 94 per cent of travellers shopped at small and independent stores which helps them experience the unique options available within the locality, along with being able to support the livelihoods of small-scale entrepreneurs.

● Conscious Travel Planning: 93 per cent of Indian travellers planned their trips so that they could walk, bike or take public transport allowing them to immerse themselves in the local experience completely. It also allows slowing down and taking in the culture, while being able to minimise the environmental impact. Additionally, 72 per cent of Indians also felt access to nature added value when staying at accommodations with sustainable practices.

According to Booking.com country manager, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia Santosh Kumar “Today for Indian travellers, sustainable practices not only enhance their travel experience but also inspire them to adopt similar habits in their daily lives. There is a desire to have a positive impact, with travellers more forthcoming in exploring activities that are driven by sustainability, whether it is indulging in cultural experiences or exploring local markets. Through collective efforts and a shared vision for sustainable tourism, we at Booking.com aim to make it easier to experience the world in a more mindful and responsible way.”

May 28, 2024
From stadiums to sightseeing, sports tourism takes centre stage in India

Mumbai: In recent years, sports tourism has been gaining attention and growing rapidly as a segment in the travel industry. According to industry research, the global sports tourism market is projected to reach $ 1.8 billion by 2030, fueled by fervent fans eager to combine travel with their love of sports.

Major sporting events have been attracting fans from around the world, showcasing their passion and enthusiasm for sports. According to Booking.com’s Travel Trends data for 2024, 45 per cent of global travellers want to travel for sports and attend events like the World Cup, Paris Olympics, Formula 1. This trend is especially strong in India, where nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) plan to travel for international sporting events in 2024. According to Booking.com’s flight data, India is even among the top 5 Asian booker countries for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024.

Domestic Sports Fandom

Sports fandom isn’t limited to international events. 76 per cent of Indians would travel for local sports competitions and events in their home city or state and 70 per cent expressed interest in travelling for national events like Indian Premier League, Pro Kabaddi, Indian Super League and more.

Sports as a travel factor

Booking.com’s Travel Trends data for 2024 also reveals that 23 per cent of Indian travellers consider sporting events when choosing travel destinations. Some of the key motivators that are driving Indians to travel for sports are:

– The excitement of the game: 71 per cent of Indians said they would pack their bags to witness their favourite player, team or sport in-person.

– Meeting friends or family overseas: 67 per cent of Indians see sporting events as an opportunity to connect with their friends or family living elsewhere.

– Connecting with new fans: 65 per cent of Indians travel for a sporting event to connect with other fans in a new destination.

– A reason to holiday: 56 per cent of Indians travel for a sporting event just to make a trip out of the occasion.

Booking.com country manager India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia Santosh Kumar said “Sports tourism gives travellers an opportunity to combine the joy of exploring new destinations while enjoying their favourite team or players in action, boosting local economies and tourism. Easier visa access, improved connectivity and rising disposable incomes are some of the factors driving this trend. For all sports enthusiasts journeying across India and the world, Booking.com remains committed to enhancing their travel experiences by offering various travel components like rental cars, flights, attractions and unique places to stay to create a comprehensive, integrated itinerary.”

April 17, 2024
Festive spirit fuels travel: Indians seek getaways for Holi and Easter

Mumbai: With Holi (25 March) and Good Friday (29 March ) just a few days apart, Indian travellers are seizing this opportunity and exploring both domestic and international destinations for this festive break. Booking.com, connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, reveals the travel insights of Indian travellers for the upcoming festive break.

From exploring vibrant cities to soaking in the cultural festivities, Indians are seeking diverse experiences to make the most of their time off. According to Booking.com data, besides metros, some of the most searched leisure destinations include Udaipur, Jaipur, Goa, Lonavala and Manali.

Spiritual destinations are also experiencing a surge in demand, with Vrindavan, known for its Holi celebrations, emerging as the top five most searched destinations in India, alongside destinations like Rishikesh, Puri and Varanasi.

Top 10 most searched domestic destinations for Indian travellers travelling from March 23-31, 2024

Mumbai
Bengaluru
Udaipur
New Delhi
Vrindavan
Jaipur
Goa
Rishikesh
Puri
Varanasi

Exploring international getaways
Closer to home international destinations like Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Bali and Hanoi are also gaining traction as popular travel choices during this period.

Top 10 most searched international destinations by Indian travelling internationally from March 23-31, 2024

Dubai
Singapore
Bangkok
Makkah (Saudi Arabia)
London
Paris
Kuala Lumpur
Bali
Tokyo
Hanoi

Booking.com, country manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia Santosh Kumar said, “Long weekends and festivities offer Indians the perfect opportunity to unwind and escape the daily grind with a short getaway. Our Travel Predictions 2024 research revealed that 85% of Indian travellers feel more alive when they are on vacation and we are thrilled to see the surge in travel demand for the Holi and Easter weekend. As travel enthusiasm continues to grow, Booking.com remains committed to making it easier for everyone to experience the world and make the most of this festive period by providing them with flights, rental cars, attractions and of course unique places to stay.”

Methodology
This release looks at search sessions between 22-02-2024 and 02-03-2024, with check-in dates between 23-03-2024 and 31-03-2024

March 7, 2024
From Gen X to Gen Z: Booking.com decodes holiday home preferences for Indian travellers

Mumbai: Travellers are increasingly looking for the home-away-from-home experience. From a beautiful homestay in the mountains to a serene beach villa overlooking the sea, Indians are seeking unique accommodations and immersive experiences while travelling. Booking.com, a global leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, has released its inaugural Holiday Homes Outlook Report that delves into the unique preferences of different generations – Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X – when choosing holiday homes.

Trends Through Generations

When it comes to searching for a holiday home, each generation has distinct preferences and priorities While Gen X prioritises cleanliness and convenience with facilities like a kitchen, millennials prefer unique and immersive experiences with a simplified booking process. Gen Z focuses on location while selecting their holiday home as well as past and present reviews to make that choice.

● Gen X (born between 1965-1980)

● Gen X value cleanliness and tidiness for accommodation and they appreciate the convenience of having a well-equipped kitchenette or meal options, akin to the warmth of Indian hospitality.

● Gen X travellers prioritise a reasonable and fair price (65 per cent) when choosing a homestay, prioritising budget-friendly options that offer value for money.

● 43 per cent state that they want more availability of homes during peak season

● Additionally, nearly 39 per cent opt for country cottages as their preferred choice for holiday homes in India.

● Millennials (born between 1981-1996)

● Millennials seek unique stay experiences with nearly half (43 per cent) stating that they find farm stays as the most appealing option for a holiday home.

● When it comes to the booking process, 51 per cent of millennials prefer a simplified and easy booking process

● 42 per cent prefer more options while searching for a holiday home and a broad range of different kinds of stay to choose from.

● Millennials prioritise sustainability (35 per cent) when booking a homestay, preferring environmentally friendly and socially responsible accommodations.

● Additionally, 52 per cent would like homestays to have no hidden costs or additional service

● Gen Z (born between 1997-2012)

● 50 per cent of Gen Z prioritise location – proximity to beaches, local attractions and scenic views) play an important role.

● Gen Z travellers gravitate towards city apartments (43 per cent) when choosing holiday homes in India.

● 42 per cent of Gen Z cite that being able to see past and present reviews of the property is an important factor while booking a holiday home.

● Gen Z prioritises pet-friendly accommodations where travellers can bring along their furry friends.

India’s Regional Revelations

The demand for alternative accommodations is surging in India with travellers looking for unique properties that offer an alternative to the traditional hotel experience demonstrating continued traveller appreciation for a broad range of different kinds of stays and the unique hospitality they offer. However, regional preferences play a role, as travellers from different regions exhibit unique preferences when it comes to selecting a holiday home.

● Travellers from South India prefer farm stays (46 per cent) and houseboats (38 per cent), while those living in East & Northeast India (23 per cent), as well as North and Central India (20 per cent), lean towards cosy cabins.

● Travellers living in West India state that they prioritise clean and tidy accommodation (64 per cent), fair/reasonable price (66 per cent), location (63 per cent) and security of the property (62 per cent) as features they are most likely to consider when booking one type of holiday home over another.

For the full Booking.com Holiday Home Outlook Report please visit the link here.

March 4, 2024
Booking.com Holiday Home Outlook Report reveals what makes a holiday home ‘bookable’ to Indian travellers

Mumbai: Booking.com, a global leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, has released its inaugural Holiday Homes Outlook Report uncovering what holiday seekers are looking for when booking a home rental and how holiday homeowners can better attract guests and enhance their experience. The Booking.com Holiday Home Outlook Report* surveying 11,000 homeowners and holiday seekers, reveals the evolving trends in the short-term rental sector from seven countries across Asia-Pacific including India, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Vietnam, Japan and China.

Holiday homes and its association with online travel brands

For a market that is price sensitive, the guarantee of the safety of financial transactions instil confidence in holiday homeowners. It also establishes a positive foundation with customers who wish to seek a seamless and secure experience. According to the report, 97 per cent of Indian holiday homeowners stated they have/ would use an online travel platform to manage their holiday rental. The top reasons they have decided or would prefer to use an online travel platform to manage their bookings is that it provides a secure payment platform (41 per cent), it provides a platform for customer and visitor reviews (39 per cent), it provides increased visibility of their home (38 per cent), it provides more reliability in confirming guest bookings (37 per cent), and it allows for secure communication with guests (36 per cent).

Nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) of Indian holiday homeowners said that listing their property on multiple platforms would generate more bookings, yet only 22 per cent say they use at least one online travel agency to help manage their properties.

Challenges experienced by holiday homeowners

The number 1 challenge Indian holiday homeowners experience when listing their holiday home as a short-term rental is maintaining demand during off-peak seasons (37 per cent) followed by transforming their own private investment property or holiday home into a short-term rental to make it available for guests to stay in (35 per cent), finding and attracting guests (34 per cent) and marketing their property/properties (33 per cent).

Most preferred holiday homes in India

When it comes to the kind of holiday homes that appeal to Indian travellers, beach houses are the most popular accommodation type (46 per cent) followed by farm stays (41 per cent), city apartments (40 per cent) and country cottages (36 per cent). Additionally, holiday seekers are also looking for more unique travel experiences off the beaten path, such as houseboats, camps/ glamping/ tents, cosy cabins and chalets. Travellers in the South find a farm stay (46 per cent) or a houseboat (38 per cent) most appealing as compared to those in North, East & Central India who prefer a cosy cabin for their stay.

What makes a holiday home uniquely Indian

40 per cent of Indians said that a home with a kitchenette or serving meals was the #1 factor in what makes a holiday home uniquely Indian. The top 5 factors Indians ranked:

1 Kitchenette or serving meals (40 per cent)
2 Has a mountain valley view/ greenery (30 per cent)
3 Has a pool/ BBQ/ recreational area (12 per cent)
4 Has beach access (11 per cent)
5 Pet friendly (7 per cent)

Shared value for the little things

Responding to the changing needs of holiday seekers, homeowners have a close alignment between what they value and believe are key decision factors when booking a home. The top 3 most important factors holiday homeowners and travellers say contribute to securing more bookings or making a booking decision are:

Booking.com country manager, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia Santosh Kumar said “In recent years, Indian travellers have been increasingly looking for properties that offer an alternative to the traditional hotel experience. The Booking.com Holiday Homes Outlook Report helps understand and respond to this sector’s evolving needs both from a homeowner and holiday seeker’s point of view. Our overarching aim is to provide customers with the widest choice and diversity of great stay all in one place. With over 28 million total reported listings on Booking.com, more than 7 million properties are in the alternative accommodation space. In India, we offer homes, apartments, farm stays, cottages and other unique places to stay as identified in this report. Our top priority is to assist Indian holiday homeowners in attracting more bookings by simplifying the process and providing confidence when listing their properties, whilst offering travellers the opportunity to easily explore and book their perfect homestays.”

For the full Booking.com Holiday Home Outlook Report please visit the link here.

February 20, 2024

Himachal Pradesh named the most welcoming region in India

Mumbai: Drawing upon more than 309 million verified reviews from real travellers, Booking.com a global leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, great things to do and transport options, revealed the most welcoming regions in India according to its 12th Annual Traveller Review Awards. Himachal Pradesh topped the list of the Most Welcoming Region in India followed by Goa and Kerala. Mararikulam, Jaisalmer, Bir, Leh and Manali were named the top five most welcoming cities in India.

India has 13,348 accommodation partners this year that are being recognised for their excellent service and hospitality with the Traveller Review Award 2024. They received over 1,189,000 reviews and an average review score of 8.8.

2024’s most welcoming regions in India

Traveller Review Award 2024 list of the Most Welcoming Places in India showcases a vast range of destinations from across the country. From scenic backwaters to historical marvels and pristine beaches to mountain escapes, this year’s destinations have been identified based on the share of accommodation providers receiving a Traveller Review Award 2024.

Most Welcoming Regions in India (2024)	Most Welcoming Regions in India (2023)
Himachal Pradesh	Puducherry
Goa	Kerala
Kerala	Rajasthan
Rajasthan	Goa
Uttarakhand	Himachal Pradesh

2024’s most welcoming cities in India

To help travellers have the most welcoming experiences possible for a really unforgettable trip in 2024, here is the list of the most welcoming cities in India as evidenced by more than 309 million verified customer reviews on Booking.com. Mararikulam with its scenic backwaters, lush countryside lined with coconut trees and peaceful beaches coupled with excellent hospitality has been announced as the most welcoming city in India. Jaisalmer, known for its rich heritage and Bir, known for ecotourism, spiritual studies and meditation took the 2nd and 3rd spots.

Most Welcoming Cities in India (2024)	Most Welcoming Cities in India (2023)
Mararikulam (Kerala)	Palolem (Goa)
Jaisalmer (Rajasthan)	Agonda (Goa)
Bir (Maharashtra)	Mararikulam (Kerala)
Leh (Jammu & Kashmir)	Hampi (Karnataka)
Manali (Himachal Pradesh)	Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh)
Thekkady (Kerala)	Thekkady (Kerala)
Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh)	Jaisalmer (Rajasthan)
Kasol ((Himachal Pradesh)	Bir (Maharashtra)
Pushkar (Rajasthan)	Munnar (Kerala)
Jodhpur (Rajasthan)	Varkala (Kerala)

Bengaluru houses most awarded properties, followed by Manali

Booking.com Traveller Review Awards also recognised Bengaluru (402) as the city with the most-awarded properties in India followed by Manali (342), New Delhi (339), Jaipur (277) and Udaipur (250). The most-awarded property type in India is hotels and then homestays and apartments.

Booking.com country manager, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia Santosh Kumar said “Hospitality is an integral part of India’s rich culture and heritage. We are known for our warm and welcoming people who make guests feel at home. Embodying this spirit are our accommodation partners whose excellent hospitality and service transform guest journeys into memories and elevate travel from ordinary to exceptional each and every day. To everyone receiving an award this year, we salute your dedication and passion – we couldn’t do what we do without you.”

February 13, 2024

Jaisalmer names the top ten most welcoming cities by Booking.com

Mumbai: Booking.com, connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, great things to do and transport options, today revealed the top 10 most welcoming places on Earth according to its 12 Annual Traveller Review Awards.

Based on more than 309 million verified customer reviews and in recognition of delivering consistently excellent service and hospitality, a record 1.48 million Booking.com travel providers across 221 countries and territories are being recognized for their hospitality with the Traveller Review Award 2024, including 13,348 in India. For the seventh year in a row, Italy continued its streak with the highest number of award recipients(181,012) followed by Spain (125,611), France (124,361), Germany (86,910) and the UK (74,754)

Most Welcoming Places on Earth

Identified based on the share of accommodation providers receiving a Traveller Review Award 2024*, this year’s lists of the Most Welcoming Places on Earth showcases a vast range of destinations from across the globe. From enchanting coastal towns to alpine retreats and rustic desert gems, these locations will ignite a sense of wanderlust for the year ahead.

Indian hospitality has made its way to the top 10 Most Welcoming Cities on Earth, with Jaisalmer being awarded the ninth most welcoming city on Earth. Known as the ‘Golden City’, Jaisalmer is celebrated for its beautiful architecture and friendly atmosphere. The city’s charm lies in its vibrant culture and friendly locals, making it a top destination that seamlessly blends historical heritage with a welcoming community.

2024’s Most Welcoming Cities on Earth:

1 Arraial d’Ajuda, Brazil
2 Ermoupoli, Greece
3 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
4 Daylesford, Australia
5 Grindelwald, Switzerland
6 Moab, United States
7 Uzès, France
8 Mazatlán, Mexico
9 Jaisalmer, India
10 Fujikawaguchiko, Japan

MOST WELCOME ACCOMMODATION TYPES

In recent years, travellers have increasingly been looking for properties that offer an alternative to the traditional hotel experience. Globally, apartments continue to be the most-awarded accommodation type by travellers for the seventh year in a row, receiving over 710,000 awards. For the second year in a row, holiday homes (213,824) have edged out hotels (179,357) for the number two spot, while guest houses (84,715) and B&Bs (71,514) round out the top five most-awarded accommodation types globally. Villas saw the greatest increase in award recipients year over year at 23 per cent, followed by holiday homes (20 per cent) and campsites (14 per cent). Overall, there was a 10 per cent increase in awards granted to vacation rentals and other unique properties that offer an alternative to the traditional hotel experience, demonstrating continued traveller appreciation for a broad range of different kinds of stays and the unique hospitality they can provide.

Booking.com country manager, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia Santosh Kumar said “Jaisalmer making it to the top 10 list of Most Welcoming Cities on Earth is yet another testimony of the incredible Indian hospitality creating unforgettable stays and memorable experiences for all the travellers. In its 12th year now, the Traveller Review Awards are our way of acknowledging and appreciating our partners who have gone above and beyond to create exceptional experiences for guests and play a critical role in our mission of making it easier for everyone to experience the world.”

January 30, 2024