Harrogate named UK’s most welcoming destination for 2026
Tabled 11 February 2026 by Tom Gordon
That this House warmly welcomes the news that Harrogate, while officially a town, has been named in Booking.com’s Top 10 Most Welcoming Cities for 2026, and is the only destination in the United Kingdom to feature in the list; notes that the ranking forms part of Booking.com’s Traveller Review Awards and is based on more than 370 million verified traveller reviews from across the world; recognises that the awards celebrate destinations where visitors consistently report feeling welcomed, valued and well looked after; further welcomes Booking.com’s praise for Harrogate’s strong sense of community, elegant spa heritage, independent businesses and high standards of hospitality; further notes the guide’s celebration of Harrogate’s architecture, Valley Gardens, Montpellier Quarter and vibrant cafés, shops and wine bars; agrees with Harrogate BID that this represents a well-deserved achievement for the town on the international stage; further recognises the vital role of the visitor economy in supporting local jobs, high streets and small businesses; and congratulates residents, hospitality workers, volunteers and business owners whose efforts continue to make Harrogate a welcoming and distinctive destination for visitors in 2026 and beyond.