Booking.com Traveller Review Awards 2026: Goa Recognised Among India’s Most Welcoming Regions in India
INDIA, February, 2026: Booking.com, a global leader in connecting travellers with incredible places to stay and seamless transport options including flights, car rentals and airport transfers, announced Goa among the 10 most Welcoming Places in India as a part of its 14th annual Traveller Review Awards 2026.
These awards recognise destinations based on the share of accommodation partners earning a Traveller Review Award for delivering personal, authentic and genuinely caring guest experiences. This year, Goa has retained its spot among the most Welcoming Regions in India, while Mandrem has emerged among the top 10 Welcoming Destinations in India.
The most welcoming destinations in Goa, renowned for their hospitality include:
- Mandrem
- Agonda
- Palolem
- Arambol
- Morjim
This year’s awards highlight the diverse accommodation preferences of travellers across the country. Hotels continue to be the most popular choice in India, with 6,650 award recipients, followed by homestays (2,652), apartments (1,984), resorts (1,338) and guest houses (1,218) reflecting a consistent preference for unique and personalised travel experiences.
Powered by more than 370 million verified reviews from travellers across the world, the Awards celebrate the partners who consistently deliver standout hospitality across every corner of the globe. This year, 17,575 travel partners in India have won Booking.com 2026 Traveller Review Awards; up from 15,674 winners in 2025. A record-breaking 1.81 million partners are being recognised globally, a 5% increase compared to the year prior. This includes 1,817,848 accommodation providers, 1,977 rental car companies and 137 airport transfer suppliers.
Most Welcoming Places in India for 2026
This year’s list showcases a diverse array of incredible destinations from around the country. Spanning hill stations, beaches and backwaters, these destinations reflect India’s diverse travel experiences, united by a shared spirit of heartfelt hospitality that continues to leave a lasting impression on travellers.
| 2026’s Most Welcoming Regions in India | 2026’s Most Welcoming Destinations in India |
| Himachal Pradesh | Bir, Himachal Pradesh |
| Kerala | Mararikulam, Kerala |
| Goa | Jaisalmer, Rajasthan |
| Rajasthan | McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Mukteswar, Uttarakhand |
| Uttarakhand | Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh |
| Puducherry | Bhim Tal, Uttarakhand |
| Assam | Manali, Himachal Pradesh |
| Karnataka | Hampi, Karnataka |
| Haryana | Mandrem, Goa |
Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager, South Asia at Booking.com said, “The Traveller Review Awards celebrate the dedication of our partners who consistently deliver exceptional hospitality across India. Goa’s continued recognition among the most welcoming regions in India reflects its vibrant culture and coastal charm. These awards recognise the partners who play a key role in making India a truly special destination for travellers from around the world.”
***
CONTACT DETAILS:
For further information contact the Booking.com India Press Office: payal.yadava@allisonworldwide.com
Note to Editors:
To be recognized with an award, accommodation partners had to have an average review score of 8.0 (out of 10) or higher based on at least 3 reviews, as of 11:59pm (CET) on November 30, 2025. Car rental partners had to have an average review score of 8.0 (out of 10) or higher based on at least 10 reviews, as of 11:59pm (CET) on November 30, 2025. To be recognized with an award, taxi providers had to have an average review score of 4.6 (out of 5) or higher and completed 2,000 rides as of 11:59pm (CET) on November 30, 2025.
Only guests who have booked stays through our platform, rented a car or rode in a taxi can leave a review of their experience on Booking.com. As these reviews are never edited or adjusted in any way, travelers can reference them for an authentic account of what the real traveler experience is like at every place to stay or with every ground transport provider on Booking.com.
*Destinations were sorted by the total share of Traveller Review Award 2026 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.
About Booking.com:
Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com’s mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. By investing in the technology that helps take the friction out of travel, Booking.com’s marketplace seamlessly connects millions of travelers with memorable experiences every day. For more information, follow @bookingcom on social media or visit news.booking.com.***
Loading ...