Why the World Is Rating Himachal Pradesh Among Its Most Welcoming Destinations?
SHIMLA: In a global tourism biosphere increasingly shaped by traveller trust and lived experience, Himachal Pradesh has earned a rare distinction — being rated among the most welcoming regions on the planet by one of the world’s largest travel platforms.
The recognition comes from the Booking.com Traveller Review Awards, a massive, data-driven global survey based entirely on verified guest reviews, making it one of the most credible tourism assessments conducted anywhere in the world.
The Survey That Put Himachal on the World Map
The Booking.com Traveller Review Awards are compiled from over 300 million verified reviews submitted by travellers after completed stays across 220+ countries and territories.
Unlike promotional rankings or expert-curated lists, the awards are driven purely by post-stay guest feedback covering hotels, homestays, guest houses and boutique properties.
Destinations are ranked only if they maintain consistently high accommodation ratings across an entire region, not just isolated properties.
Himachal Pradesh’s inclusion therefore reflects state-wide hospitality performance, cutting across urban centres, hill towns and remote tribal belts.
What Worked in Himachal Pradesh’s Favour
According to review analysis and survey methodology, Himachal Pradesh stood out globally due to a combination of human and geographic factors:
Warm, personal hospitality:
Travellers repeatedly cited hosts who went beyond formal service — offering local meals, guidance, and personal care, especially in homestays and family-run establishments.
Authentic cultural experiences:
Guests valued everyday interactions over packaged tourism — village life, local festivals, traditional cuisine and customs that remain largely untouched by over-commercialisation.
High comfort levels in remote regions:
Even in far-flung areas such as Spiti Valley and Kinnaur, travellers reported strong scores for cleanliness, safety and basic amenities.
Safety and ease of travel:
Solo travellers, women travellers and international visitors consistently rated the state as safe and welcoming, a key factor influencing global destination trust.
Unmatched diversity within short distances:
From the colonial charm of Shimla and the ski slopes of Solang, Narkanda to the spiritual calm of Dharamshala and the stark monastic charm of Lahaul–Spiti, travellers appreciated the sheer range of experiences packed into one region.
A Destination Built on People, Not Promotion
Tourism analysts note that Himachal Pradesh’s rise was not driven by aggressive branding or luxury infrastructure, but by consistent everyday behaviour of its people.
Many properties in the state recorded average guest ratings between 8.9 and 9.5 out of 10, placing Himachal well above global hospitality averages.
In an era where travellers are moving away from crowded, transactional tourism, Himachal’s strength lies in its quiet confidence — landscapes that heal and people who care.
The World’s Other Favourite Destinations
Alongside Himachal Pradesh, global traveller surveys and review-driven rankings consistently place the following destinations among the most loved on Earth:
1. Paris – Art, romance and timeless street life
2. Kyoto – Temples, tradition and seasonal beauty
3. Rome – Living history and legendary cuisine
4. Bali – Spiritual calm and tropical warmth
5. Cape Town – Mountains, oceans and culture
6. Istanbul – A crossroads of continents and history
7. Queenstown – Alpine adventure and pristine nature
8. Reykjavik – Glaciers, volcanoes and northern lights
9. Marrakech – Colourful souks and heritage living
10. Sydney – Harbour life and global energy
Why Himachal Now Belongs in This League
What unites these destinations is not just beauty or fame, but how travellers feel while they are there.
By that measure, Himachal Pradesh now stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s greatest travel icons — not through spectacle, but through kindness, calm and cultural depth.
For global travellers chasing meaning over luxury, Himachal Pradesh has quietly become one of the world’s most humane.
Let's save this new brand and beautify it with warmth and hospitality, preserving it enigmatic charm and diversity and nature.