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The world’s friendliest place? Apparently, it’s right here in the UK

New research from Booking.com has unveiled the planet’s most welcoming destinations, based on over 300 million customer reviews

Liv Kelly
Written by
Liv Kelly
Contributing Writer
A bridge in the Perthshire countryside, Scotland
Photograph: Shutterstock
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Plenty of destinations all over the world are known for their generous hospitality and welcoming atmosphere – just take a look at all these places that were named the friendliest cities in the world

But a stunning area right here in the UK has also been recognised for its friendliness in a massive study conducted by Booking.com. After scouring more than 300 million customer reviews, the hotel booking website crowned Perthshire in Scotland the world’s most welcoming destination. 

Known as ‘Big Tree County’ thanks to more than 200,000 acres of woodland, Perthshire is popular with hikers and those craving an adventurous sort of getaway. Kinnoull Hill was the first Scottish woodland park of its kind when it opened in the 1990s – but it’s not just outdoorsy folk who’ll enjoy all Perthshire has to offer. 

Visit Scotland says that Perthshire is ideal for history buffs, too. The Black Watch Museum explores the past of Scotland’s oldest Highland Regiment, while Scone Palace is home to some of the needlework of Mary, Queen of Scots. The region is also home to the Gleneagles Hotel, which is celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2024 and was recently named the best in the world for hospitality. Given it’s in such a welcoming place, no wonder! 

The regions which came in second and third place in Booking.com’s ranking were Penghu in Taiwan and Boyacá in Colombia. Find out more about other places famed for their hospitality on Time Out here.

Did you see that this British borough wants to get a royal rebrand?

Plus: this British train journey is officially one of the most scenic in the world

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