Gold Coast makes booking.com 2023 list of most welcoming tourist destinations on Earth
An online booking website has revealed the world’s top 10 most welcoming tourist destinations – and only one Australian city made the cut.
On January 24, online travel agency Booking.com released its 2023 Most Welcoming Cities on Earth list for eager travelers looking for a friendly escape.
The list, which is released annually, has compiled more than 232 million customer reviews of local hotels, rental car companies and airport taxi providers.
The Gold Coast is ranked 10th on Booking.com’s list of Most Welcoming Cities on Earth for 2023 and is the only Australian city listed
The online travel agency has labeled the Gold Coast as ‘the ultimate playground’ for travelers of all ages (pictured, Warner Bros Movie World at the Gold Coast)
In 10th place was the Gold Coast for its sun, surf, sand and theme parks, making it the ‘ultimate playground for every traveler of any age’.
Booking.com chief marketing officer Arjan Dijk said cities were considered ‘welcoming’ based on the hospitality and effort they showed towards travellers.
“It’s that personal attention to detail when checking in or sharing helpful recommendations for exploring the destination like a local that demonstrates how our partners show up and shine for travelers,” Mr Dijk said.
‘These awards are our way of thanking them for their commitment to making everyone feel welcome and for going out of their way to create incredible experiences for our customers.
‘Whether it’s a friendly greeting from a taxi driver at the airport, sharing some local driving tips at the car hire desk or a thoughtful note waiting in the room, our passionate partners help make every trip more special .’
Polignano a Mare in Italy (photo) has been voted the most welcoming on earth. This is the second year in a row that a city in Italy has taken the top spot
This year’s Most Welcoming Places on Earth span five continents. Hualien City in Taiwan (photo) is second on the list
San Sebastian located in the north of Spain was the top three places
This year’s most welcoming places on earth span five continents, with Polignano a Mare in Italy taking the top spot, while Taiwan’s Hualien City and Spain’s San Sebastián rounded out the top three.
European cities featured on the list with Dresden in Germany, Klaipeda in Lithuania and York in the United Kingdom taking fourth, fifth and sixth place respectively.
Seventh and eighth place went to two South American cities – Ushuaia in Argentina and Porto De Galinhas in Brazil, while Mexico City edged out the Gold Coast in ninth place.
The online agency also ranked Australia’s ‘friendliest’ cities – with the coastal town of Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria topping the list.
Port Campbell had a number of 9 out of 10 ratings for accommodation reviews.
The coastal town of Port Campbell along the Great Ocean Rd in Victoria has been named the most welcoming tourist town in Australia for 2023 (pictured, The Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell, Victoria)
Halls Gap in Victoria took second place for its spectacular hiking views and waterfalls.
In third place was Port Lincoln in South Australia, known for its pristine beaches and great white shark cage diving.
Queensland was the most represented with three cities – Toowoomba, Montville and Maleny – coming fourth, fifth and sixth on the list.
The remaining places went to two cities in Western Australia and one city in both New South Wales and Tasmania.
Booking.com most welcoming cities on earth
Most welcoming cities on earth in 2023
Polignano a Mare, Italy
Hualien City, Taiwan
San Sebastián, Spain
Dresden, Germany
Klaipeda, Lithuania
York, United Kingdom
Ushuaia, Argentina
Porto De Galinhas, Brazil
Mexico City, Mexico
Gold Coast, Australia
Most welcoming towns in Australia in 2023
Port Campbell, Victoria
Halls Gap, Victoria
Port Lincoln, South Australia
Toowoomba, Queensland
Montville, Queensland
Maleny, Queensland
Coles Bay, Tasmania
Denmark, Western Australia
Mildura, New South Wales
Margaret River Town, Western Australia
