MAM
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.”
Brands
Reserve Bank of India cancels Paytm Payments Bank licence
Central bank cites compliance failures; curbs tighten as wind-up looms
MUMBAI: India’s banking watchdog delivered its sharpest blow yet to Paytm Payments Bank, cancelling its licence and effectively ending its ability to operate as a bank under the law.
The Reserve Bank of India said the entity can no longer conduct banking business under the Banking Regulation Act, citing concerns that its affairs were not being run in the interest of depositors or the public and that it had failed to meet licence conditions.
The move escalates a crackdown that has been building for months. The bank had already been barred from onboarding new customers since March 11, 2022, and later faced restrictions on deposits, credit and wallet top-ups. In January 2024, the central bank ordered it to stop accepting fresh deposits, pointing to persistent non-compliance, including lapses in customer due diligence, use of funds and technology systems.
Operationally, the bank is now on a tight leash. It may process withdrawals of existing deposits and facilitate loan referrals through banking correspondents, but it cannot take fresh deposits.
The central bank said it would apply to the high court to wind up the bank.
Paytm sought to ringfence the fallout. In a regulatory filing, it said the licence cancellation applies to Paytm Payments Bank Limited, a separate entity, and should not be attributed to One 97 Communications. It added that there is no exposure or material business arrangement with the bank and that it operates independently, without Paytm’s board or management involvement.
“As informed earlier, Paytm (One 97 Communications Limited) and its services, which have been operating without interruption, will continue to operate uninterrupted. These include the Paytm app, Paytm UPI, Paytm Gold and all other services offered by its subsidiaries and associated companies,” the company said.
The distinction may reassure users of the app ecosystem, but the regulator’s verdict is unequivocal. After years of warnings, caps and curbs, the payments bank experiment at Paytm is being shut down—decisively, and with little room left to manoeuvre.
