Otago named one of the ‘most welcoming’ regions in the world!

Otago named most welcoming region

Otago named one of the ‘most welcoming’ regions in the world!

Otago Ranked 7th in Booking.com’s Most Welcoming Destinations of 2024

As part of the travel site's 12th Annual Traveller Review Awards, Booking.com has looked at more than 309 million verified customer reviews focusing on consistently excellent service and hospitality.

The Otago region was rated by Booking.com's customers as the 7th most welcoming place on the planet!

This year’s lists of the Most Welcoming Places on Earth showcased a vast range of destinations from across the globe. From enchanting coastal towns to alpine retreats and even rustic desert gems, all of these locations are sure to ignite a sense of wanderlust for the year ahead…. And Otago has been ranked 7^th on the worldwide list!

Destinations were selected based on the share of accommodation providers receiving a Traveller Review Award 2024*.

Anthony Longman, the head of destination at Tourism Central Otago, said that he was delighted the region had been chosen.

“It reflects and recognises the way that our local accommodation operators extend manaakitanga to our visitors,” said Longman.

“This welcome is a focus of the Southern Way which is about how travelling slowly through the communities of the lower south, and engaging with our people and businesses, visitors have a more rewarding experience.”

2024’s Most Welcoming Regions on Earth

1. Perthshire, United Kingdom
2. Penghu, Taiwan
3. Boyacá, Colombia
4. Trentino - Alto Adige, Italy
5. Los Lagos, Chile
6. Erongo, Namibia
7. Otago, New Zealand
8. Lapland, Finland
9. Asturias, Spain
10. Friesland, Netherlands

*Destinations were sorted by the total share of Traveller Review Award 2024 recipients when compared to the total amount of eligible properties in that city or region (accommodation only). Destinations also had to have an above-average amount of winners to be included on this list (200 award recipients or higher for cities and regions) and were curated for geographic spread.