Taiwan's reputation for warm hospitality has earned it top marks on the global stage, with Magong City in Penghu County ranking as the second most welcoming city in the world in Booking.com's 2026 Traveller Review Awards.
The major travel platform announced the 14th edition of its annual awards this week, highlighting destinations that consistently deliver outstanding hospitality based on more than 370 million verified traveler reviews. Magong was recognized for seamlessly blending centuries-old temples, vibrant historic streets, and stunning coastal landscapes to create an authentically inviting atmosphere.
A Global Hospitality Benchmark
The 2026 awards recognize over 1.81 million tourism businesses across 221 countries and territories. Italy retained its crown as the country with the most award-winning partners for the ninth consecutive year, followed by France, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
While Montepulciano, Italy, claimed the top spot for individual cities, Magong stood out as the sole East Asian city in the top five.
According to the Penghu National Scenic Area Administration, this international recognition goes far beyond Magong's physical attractions.
Officials attribute the high ranking to the cumulative experience travelers enjoy—from local accommodations and dining to spontaneous neighborhood interactions.
Whether wandering through Central Old Street, visiting the ornate Tianhou Temple, or exploring the daily life around the fishing harbor, visitors are met with genuine, everyday kindness.
"When motorcyclists asked me directions to Shanshui Beach, I just led them there directly," one traveler recalled of the local culture.
Another visitor shared: "Giving directions by personally leading the way is standard Penghu hospitality. Years ago... while queuing for egg cakes, I received two free bowls of fresh-caught, freshly-cooked fish soup—unforgettable to this day!"
To build on this momentum ahead of the Lunar New Year, the Penghu Administration is expanding its "artisan-guided"model of tourism. The initiative pairs travelers with local craftspeople and elders to explore Penghu's historic settlements, local festivals, and beautiful coasts.
In addition, the Administration is rolling out a new mobile Progressive Web App (PWA) system this year, to make exploring Magong and the broader Penghu archipelago even easier for international tourists by providing multilingual information on transportation, attractions, and itineraries. （Related： Jimmy Lai Sentenced to 20 Years Amid Crackdown on Hong Kong Press Freedom ｜ Latest ）
