Ask any traveller to describe their stereotype of Australians, and they’ll probably say that we’re a pretty friendly, laid-back bunch. It checks out then that one of our favourite states has just been named by Booking.com as one of the ten most welcoming regions on the planet.
For Booking.com’s 2025 Traveller Review Awards, they used a whopping 360 million verified reviews to determine the world’s top destinations for hospitality and service. They considered feedback on everything from accommodation and activities to transport, compiling a list of the most welcoming places based on those with the highest number of glowing reviews.
Known for their down-to-earth, friendly nature, South Australians can now claim they live in one of the ten most welcoming regions on the planet. This charming Aussie state was the only place in the country to crack the list and one of just two in the Southern Hemisphere (along with Misiones in Argentina).
As one of Australia’s smaller states, South Australia is home to close-knit communities where locals welcome travellers from near and far with open arms.
Zoe Bettison, South Australian Minister for Tourism, says: “It’s no news to locals, but now the world knows that South Australia is among the most welcoming regions in the world. The fact that this highly regarded accolade is based on more than 360 million reviews on the leading travel site, Booking.com is an honour and will put our State on the consideration list of engaged potential visitors worldwide.
From the Adelaide Hills to Kangaroo Island, from the Barossa to the Murray River and the Flinders Ranges, guests will always be warmly welcomed in South Australia.”
Joining South Australia on the world’s most welcoming regions list are Osijek-Baranja in Croatia, Madeira in Portugal and Bretagne in France, with the full list below.
These are the 10 most welcoming regions on Earth:
- South Australia, Australia
- Osijek-Baranja, Croatia
- Kakheti, Georgia
- Madeira, Portugal
- Misiones, Argentina
- Graubünden, Switzerland
- Bretagne, France
- Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Kien Giang, Vietnam
- Drenthe, Netherlands