In the list published by travel website booking.com, Taupō landed on place 4. Photo / Marian Robertson
In the list published by travel website booking.com, Taupō landed on place 4. Photo / Marian Robertson
Taupō has been named one of the most welcoming cities in the world - as the only New Zealand destination.
In the list published by travel website booking.com, the Waikato town landed on place 4, just behind Sigiriya in Sri Lanka on place 1, Cazorla, Spain on place 2 and Urubici, Brazil on place 3.
The list was published as part of booking.com’s annual Traveller Review Awards.
The awards, now in their 13th year, celebrate outstanding service across accommodations, attractions and transport businesses. The winners are determined by the average score of booking.com customer reviews.
In total, a record 9362 partners across New Zealand have received a Traveller Review Award with the most welcoming places “on Earth” being determined by the share of accommodation partners receiving a Traveller Review Award in a certain city.
The awards also marked a big win for the Waikato with four local places being named among the Most Welcoming Cities in Aotearoa. Taupō took out the top spot.
Taupō Mayor David Trewavas told the Waikato Herald it was exciting for Taupō to be recognised “on a global scale” as the town held “some really big events” from the Ironman to Supercars.
Supercars descended on Taupō last year. Photo / Supercars
“It’s very significant for us to be ranked so highly amongst some very special places. Events and tourism are important to us so making this list means even more people get to know about us,” Trewavas said.
He said the council has been “proactive” in making the district a place to visit.
“From our new lakefront Ātea space to the new airport terminal and the recent Te Kapua playground in Tūrangi, we’ve invested in making sure we can provide a top-notch visitor experience.
“It’s all about the people and we have a great community here, one that readily volunteers to help out at events and help share our piece of paradise with others.”
Taupō Mayor David Trewavas. Photo / Supplied
Destination Great Lake Taupō general manager Patrick Dault said the local tourism organisation was honoured to receive the accolade.
“Especially because it comes as the result of authentic endorsements from visitors who’ve been here, stayed and enjoyed our special brand of Taupō hospitality.
“But we don’t sit on our laurels here so we’ll go on dishing out those warm welcomes right throughout 2025 and years to come.”
The other Waikato destinations being named as one of the Most Welcoming Cities in Aotearoa are Whitianga on place 3, Waihi on place 6 and Cambridge on place 7.
Thames-Coromandel District Councillor Rekha Giri-Percival said seeing Whitianga in the top 3 was “a great recognition” for the community who “loves sharing our little slice of paradise with others”.
The Coromandel was impacted by Covid-19 and extreme weather events that saw the closure of SH25A which the local community “worked hard to recover” from.
Giri-Percival said there were also more people moving to Whitianga, and residents took pride in looking after their natural icons like Cathedral Cove, and Hāhei’s Hot Water Beach.
Meanwhile, Waipā Mayor Susan O’Regan said she was “absolutely thrilled” about Cambridge placing seventh.
She said the Waipā District was known for caring for people and providing “world-class hospitality”, kindness, and generosity.
“And what’s not to love about Cambridge – it’s charmingly beautiful with our gorgeous trees, parks and reserves and heritage buildings, it’s perfectly located with a great climate, and there’s always plenty going on.”
O’Regan said Cambridge was known as the “equine capital of the country”, and is home to high-performance rowing and canoe racing at Lake Karāpiro.
Whitianga is named one of the Most Welcoming Cities in Aotearoa.
“It’s not hard to understand why we have an increasing number of visitors to the numerous events and activities in the region, and more people moving to live in the town,” she said.
“Our residents take huge pride in the town and in the wider district, and look out for each other.
