Holidays with the ‘host factor’: Booking.com uncovers the top countries and places to stay for the ultimate hosting experience
Research conducted by Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, across 21,500 travellers from 29 countries reveals that Thailand (85%), Indonesia (83%), Mexico (77%), Taiwan (77%) and India (75%) are the top five countries where locals consider hospitality to be in their DNA when comparing experiences of being a guest in their home country vs. being a guest abroad.
Booking.com uncovers what it is about these countries that make them so welcoming while delving into its more than 5.7 million listings of homes, apartments and other unique places to stay, to suggest friendly and inviting places to stay in each of these destinations that have the ‘host factor’.
Thailand
Across all of the 29 nationalities surveyed, it was respondents from Thailand who thought their country was more hospitable when compared to others. Most commonly known for its beautiful beaches and temples, it’s the perfect destination for travellers seeking to experience a warm welcome and immerse themselves in the local culture. Thailand also offers many opportunities for travellers to enjoy cultural activities such as experiencing the vibrant hill tribe culture.
Where to stay: If the culture vulture in you is bursting to break free, then Hongkhao Village, located outside the city center of Chiang Mai, is the perfect accommodation and location for you. A jungle paradise, offering an authentic Lanna culture style stay close to the Ping River. Guests of Hongkhoa Village are introduced to the highly recommended and helpful on-site staff who are known for assisting guests with any restaurant reservations and travel recommendations throughout their stays.
Indonesia
Indonesia, home to beautiful volcanic islands and Komodo dragons, will bring out the inner adventurer in everyone as you island hop across this beautiful and exotic destination. Visit the tropical island paradise of Nusa Penida and be mesmerized by the crystal clear waters and abundance of marine life. Hop on a traditional ‘Jukung’ boat to Medan, the hub for cultural diversity and spend a full day on a private adventure, exploring the remote jungles of Bukit Lawang, learning about the animals and plants and enjoy a jungle lunch with your tour guide. But not only is Indonesia known for all of these, it is also known for its hosting as 83% of Indonesians believe its country is more hospitable than others.
Where to stay: Nestled on the beautiful island of Nusa Penida is the Kabeh Jati Garden Villa & Restaurant, your own piece of paradise that you can call home. After a relaxing nights stay in your wooden bungalow, take in the impressive vistas of the emerald waters from your private terrace or balcony. A friendly host will be on hand to arrange car hire so travellers can explore nearby sites such as the Nusa Penida Harbor and the white sands of Atuh Beach.
Mexico
Mexico falls into third place on the list of the countries where locals believe they are more hospitable than other countries. The capital Mexico City caters to the modern traveler as it features upscale shops, fabulous restaurants to tickle your taste buds and beautiful museums. Mexico is also home to various stunning beaches, majestic mountain ranges, jungles and deserts for the adventurous type. Mexico offers something for every traveler and Mexican hosts are known for going above and beyond to offer their guests a warm welcome.
Where to stay: For a host that exceeds expectations, look no further than the self-catering apartments of HomFor Napoles. Not only are guests provided with a fully equipped kitchen and a stunning terrace for those who want to enjoy their breakfast in the beautiful sunshine, but the host is also known for being friendly and going above and beyond.
Taiwan
Venture to Taiwan and discover why 77% of Taiwanese travellers rated their country as providing the best hospitality. Many travellers visit Taiwan for its bustling nightlife and famous landmarks such as the Taipei 101, the National Palace Museum and the Shilin night market. But why not swap the hustle and bustle for a breath of fresh air? Take a trip to the idyllic crescent shaped Chishingtan Beach, or a relaxing stroll along the bank of the picturesque Liyu Lake or an adventurous hike through the Taroko National Park.
Where to stay: Located in the city of Hualien, Hualien Wow Hostel provides affordable accommodation, with both private and dormitory rooms and friendly staff offering the best local tips. In fact, Booking.com travellers rated the friendly staff as one of the top things they loved during their stay here. Take advantage of the 24-hour front desk where staff can help organize various activities such as snorkeling, rafting, diving and cycling.
India
India is the home of cultural and historical hotspots such as the Taj Mahal, an iconic ivory-white marble mausoleum commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, Amber Palace, a palace constructed of red sandstone and marble and Hawa Mahal, another palace constructed of red and pink sandstone. With all of these interesting and beautiful attractions catering for travellers from around the globe, it’s evident why 75% of Indians believe their country to be more hospitable than most.
Where to stay: If convenience is key, a stay at The Oberoi Grand Kolkata is the place to be. Located in the heart of Kolkata’s shopping and business district, the Oberoi Grand Kolkata offers guests an outdoor pool, gym and spa as a perfect retreat to relax in tranquility. Once you have soaked in the pool or spent hours in the shopping district, you can splurge in your room where guests are offered 24-hour room service or take a quick trip downstairs to indulge in four fantastic dining options.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Research methodology
Top five places were based on research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among 21,500 respondents (including 1,000 each from Australia, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, China, Brazil, India, US, UK, Russia, Indonesia, Colombia and South Korea; and 500 each from Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Croatia, Taiwan, Mexico, Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore and Israel). Respondents completed an online survey between 14 December 2018 and 14 January 2019.
About Booking.com
Established in 1996 in Amsterdam, Booking.com B.V. has grown from a small Dutch start-up to one of the largest travel e-commerce companies in the world. Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com now employs more than 18,000 employees in 200+ offices in 70 countries worldwide.
With a mission to empower people to experience the world, Booking.com invests in digital technology that helps take the friction out of travel. At Booking.com, we connect travellers with the world’s largest selection of incredible places to stay, including everything from apartments, holiday homes, and family-run B&Bs to 5-star luxury resorts, tree houses and even igloos. The Booking.com website and mobile apps are available in 43 languages, offer over 28 million total reported listings, including more than 5.7 million listings of homes, apartments and other unique places to stay, and covers more than 146,000 destinations in 228 countries and territories worldwide.
Each day, more than 1.5 million room nights are reserved on our platform. So whether traveling for business or leisure, customers can instantly book their ideal place to stay quickly and easily with Booking.com, without booking fees and backed up by our promise to price match. Via our customer experience team, customers can reach Booking.com 24/7 for assistance and support in over 43 languages, any time of the day or night.
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