This is New Zealand's 'most welcoming' town
Thursday, 1 February 2024
Hot on the heels of Otago being named one of the world’s ‘most welcoming’ regions by Booking.com, the holiday platform has revealed the town in New Zealand which offers the best of Kiwi hospitality.
Havelock North has topped the list to find Aotearoa’s ‘most welcoming’ town.
Booking.com compiled reviews from verified customers, bestowing the travel partners with high marks a Traveller Review Award. Hospitality providers in the Hawke’s Bay destination received the most awards in New Zealand.
The town was recently in the headlines when former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern married Clarke Gayford at the Craggy Range winery.
In second was the Coromandel town of Whitianga, with Canterbury duo Lake Tekapo and Kaikōura in third and fourth.
Todd Lacey, Booking.com Regional Manager for Oceania, said it was important to recognise the good work the travel providers offer customers.
“Booking.com believes that the best traveller experiences shouldn’t be kept a secret and we want to take the time to recognise our Kiwi partners who deliver the very best experiences in the eyes of customers,” said Lacey.
“Behind each score or certificate is a whole year filled with real travellers, real experiences and real reviews, which is a core differentiator for providers to attract their next customers.”
The worldwide rankings are based on more than 300 million verified reviews on the accommodation and holiday platform.
Otago was named in the top 10 rankings of the most welcoming region, headed by Perthshire in Scotland.
The friendliest cities list was topped by Brazil’s Arraial d'Ajuda, followed by Ermoupoli in Greece and Portugal’s Viana do Castelo.
Most welcoming towns in New Zealand, according to Booking.com:
Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay
Whitianga, Coromandel
Lake Tekapo, Canterbury
Kaikōura, Canterbury
Kerikeri, Northland
Cambridge, Waikato
Cromwell, Otago
Wānaka, Otago
Raglan, Waikato
New Plymouth, Taranaki