Canterbury has been named as one of the top ten 'Most Welcoming Regions on Earth' for the second year in a row in the Booking.com Traveller Review Awards 2022
The awards analyse more than 232 million verified traveller reviews made on the travel and accommodation booking website.
Canterbury was placed sixth, behind Tasmania in third and Gorenjska, Slovenia in first place.
2022's Most Welcoming Regions on Earth
- Gorenjska (Slovenia)
- Taitung County (Taiwan)
- Tasmania (Australia)
- Burgenland (Austria)
- Seychelles (Africa)
- Canterbury (New Zealand)
- Santa Cruz (Argentina)
- Nova Scotia (Canada)
- Limón (Costa Rica)
- La Rioja (Spain)
Todd Lacey, Area Manager of Booking.com New Zealand, said the country's ranking highlights the hospitality of Kiwis in the face of yet another year in the global pandemic.
"Having so many Kiwi properties rewarded for their wonderful hospitality is such a pleasure to see after yet another turbulent year for the travel industry," Lacey said.
"Much of the country has only recently been able to resume domestic travel again, so it's a positive sign that these places are still being recognised for their excellent services.
"For Canterbury to be highlighted as one of the most welcoming regions in the world for the second year running, is such an outstanding achievement for our travel industry."
Most Welcoming Towns & Regions
As well as comparing New Zealand's regions with others around the world, the awards also revealed which towns in Aotearoa were the most welcoming, according to user reviews.
As well as rewarding thousands of fantastic Kiwi properties, Booking.com has revealed the Most Welcoming Towns in the country based on the share of properties receiving a Traveller Review Award in 2022.
Booking.com's top ten most welcoming towns in Aotearoa in 2022
- Hokitika
- Lake Tekapo
- Oamaru
- Whanganui
- Cambridge
- Picton
- Invercargill
- Martinborough
- Kerikeri
- Palmerston North
Destinations had to have at least 50 eligible accommodations to be included in this list and were sorted by the highest share of winners per destination.
Not only were there awards for the most welcoming towns in New Zealand, but welcoming regions as a whole are also recognised. It's no surprise that Canterbury tops the list, followed by Wellington, Northland, Bay of Plenty and Otago.
Analysis of the data also revealed warm and welcoming staff were the key to a good rating also.
New Zealanders valued the location and staff of their accommodation at 9.1 in terms of importance, followed by cleanliness with 9.0.
Other aspects of their accommodation such as value for money and services available rated 8.6 and 8.7, respectively.
