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Himachal Pradesh named the most welcoming region in India
Mumbai: Drawing upon more than 309 million verified reviews from real travellers, Booking.com a global leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, great things to do and transport options, revealed the most welcoming regions in India according to its 12th Annual Traveller Review Awards. Himachal Pradesh topped the list of the Most Welcoming Region in India followed by Goa and Kerala. Mararikulam, Jaisalmer, Bir, Leh and Manali were named the top five most welcoming cities in India.
India has 13,348 accommodation partners this year that are being recognised for their excellent service and hospitality with the Traveller Review Award 2024. They received over 1,189,000 reviews and an average review score of 8.8.
2024’s most welcoming regions in India
Traveller Review Award 2024 list of the Most Welcoming Places in India showcases a vast range of destinations from across the country. From scenic backwaters to historical marvels and pristine beaches to mountain escapes, this year’s destinations have been identified based on the share of accommodation providers receiving a Traveller Review Award 2024.
2024’s most welcoming cities in India
To help travellers have the most welcoming experiences possible for a really unforgettable trip in 2024, here is the list of the most welcoming cities in India as evidenced by more than 309 million verified customer reviews on Booking.com. Mararikulam with its scenic backwaters, lush countryside lined with coconut trees and peaceful beaches coupled with excellent hospitality has been announced as the most welcoming city in India. Jaisalmer, known for its rich heritage and Bir, known for ecotourism, spiritual studies and meditation took the 2nd and 3rd spots.
Bengaluru houses most awarded properties, followed by Manali
Booking.com Traveller Review Awards also recognised Bengaluru (402) as the city with the most-awarded properties in India followed by Manali (342), New Delhi (339), Jaipur (277) and Udaipur (250). The most-awarded property type in India is hotels and then homestays and apartments.
Booking.com country manager, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia Santosh Kumar said “Hospitality is an integral part of India’s rich culture and heritage. We are known for our warm and welcoming people who make guests feel at home. Embodying this spirit are our accommodation partners whose excellent hospitality and service transform guest journeys into memories and elevate travel from ordinary to exceptional each and every day. To everyone receiving an award this year, we salute your dedication and passion – we couldn’t do what we do without you.”
MAM
Sleepwell unveils nationwide sleep study on World Sleep Day
79 per cent use screens before bed, 36 per cent of 18–25-year-olds sleep ≤5 hours.
MUMBAI: Sleepwell just dropped the pillow truth bomb because when India’s sleeping less and scrolling more, even the mattress wants to stage an intervention. On World Sleep Day 2026, Sleepwell released its nationwide Sleep Study, painting a stark picture of India’s escalating sleep crisis. The findings show that 79% of Indians use screens right before bed, fuelling restless nights and drowsy days. Alarmingly, 36% of young adults aged 18–25 sleep five hours or less making them the country’s most sleep-deprived group.
The study also busts the myth of “catch-up sleep”, 65% of respondents actually sleep even later on weekends, pointing to increasingly irregular patterns that spill fatigue into the working week. Mattress discomfort emerged as a frequently overlooked culprit behind late-night wake-ups and constant leak-anxiety checks.
To drive the message home, Sleepwell’s CMO Puneet Gulati appeared on Zee Business, stressing that quality sleep isn’t a luxury, it’s foundational health. He highlighted how the right mattress can transform restless nights into restorative ones.
The brand doubled down with clever late-night activations, partnering with a quick-commerce platform to serve contextual ads between 11 pm and 3 am, gently nudging bleary-eyed scrollers to consider mattress discomfort as the reason they’re still awake and pointing them to the nearest Sleepwell store. Digital influencers and creators also shared relatable stories of how poor sleep fuels impulsive late-night behaviour.
In a nation that celebrates hustle but quietly pays for it in lost rest, Sleepwell isn’t just selling mattresses, it’s selling the radical idea that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is close your eyes and actually sleep well.
