Tom Gordon MP Tables Parliamentary Motion Celebrating Harrogate’s Global Recognition As One Of The World’s Most Welcoming Destinations For 2026
Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament celebrating Harrogate being named in Booking.com’s Top 10 Most Welcoming Cities for 2026 - the only UK destination to make the global list.
The recognition forms part of Booking.com’s Traveller Review Awards and is based on more than 370 million verified customer reviews. The awards highlight destinations where visitors consistently report feeling welcomed, valued and well looked after.
While officially a town, not a city, Harrogate was praised for its strong sense of community, elegant spa heritage, independent businesses and consistently high standards of hospitality.
In the guide, Booking.com describes Harrogate as:
“Captivating with its harmonious mix of culture and greenery… inviting travellers to unwind while discovering the quieter corner of northern England.”
Tabling the motion in Parliament, Tom Gordon MP said:
“Harrogate may officially be a town, but in 2026 it stands tall on the world stage.
To be the only UK destination recognised in Booking.com’s global top ten, based on hundreds of millions of independent reviews, is a remarkable achievement.
This award belongs to our local businesses, hospitality workers, volunteers and residents who make Harrogate such a special place. Our visitor economy supports local jobs, independent shops and our thriving high street, and this recognition is a powerful endorsement of everything our community offers.”
Harrogate Town Councillor Paula Stott welcomed the news and shared her personal experience of Harrogate’s community spirit.
Cllr Stott said:
“I am so pleased to read the results of Booking.com’s survey. This result, based on hard statistics, completely echoes my own lived experience.
I arrived in Harrogate 12 years ago knowing nobody, and I can honestly say I have made more friends and become involved in more welcoming groups here than anywhere else I have lived.
People often say you can’t make new friends when you’re older, well, I’d say give Harrogate a try. You’ll get a warm welcome here and make friends at any age. I certainly did.”
Harrogate BID has described the accolade as a “well-deserved achievement” and a testament to the strength of the town’s visitor economy.
The Early Day Motion congratulates everyone who contributes to Harrogate’s welcoming reputation and highlights the importance of supporting tourism and local high streets so that towns like Harrogate can continue to thrive.
Booking.com announcement can be found here: https://news.booking.com/bookingcom-announces-the-worlds-most-welcoming-cities-for-2026
EDM can be found here: https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/65223/harrogate-named-uks-most-welcoming-destination-for-2026
