TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Renowned travel company Booking.com has named Taiwan's Penghu County as the second "Most Welcoming Region on Earth" in its 2024 Traveller Review Awards, as announced on Wednesday, Jan. 24.
This distinction was based on the feedback received from over 309 million verified customer reviews, according to Booking.com.
The awards recognize both the "Most Welcoming Cities on Earth" and the "Most Welcoming Regions." In the latter category, the top five include, in order, United Kingdom's Perthshire, Taiwan's Penghu County, Colombia's Boyacá, Italy's Trentino-Alto Adige, and Chile's Los Lagos.
Penghu County in Taiwan is renowned for its striking basaltic formations and a wide range of aquatic activities. Meanwhile, United Kingdom's Perthshire offers canyons, forests, lakes, and a wealth of historical sites. Colombia's Boyacá is famous for its high-altitude national parks featuring snow-capped peaks and glacier lakes, in addition to being the world's largest emerald-producing area.
Italy's Trentino-Alto Adige is nestled in the Alps and is known for its ski resorts and medieval villages, while Chile's Los Lagos boasts a rich indigenous culture.
In the ranking of "Most Welcoming Cities," Brazil's Arraial d'Ajuda secured the top position, followed by Greece's Ermoupoli, Portugal's Viana do Castelo, Australia's Daylesford, and Switzerland's Grindelwald.