Germany: Greece "Most Hospitable Country in the World"

Greece has won another top distinction in the particularly important German market, a fact that confirms the dominant position that our country holds in the preferences of German travelers.

Specifically, it was named the "Most Hospitable Country in the World" in the awards of the online travel magazine of the Axel Springer group "Travelbook Awards 2025".

Travelbook is Germany’s largest travel magazine with a strong market presence, serving as a point of reference for inspiration, ideas and trends in global tourism for millions of readers, while the Travelbook Awards annually highlight the top destinations, experiences and players in the travel industry.

All countries that make it to the shortlist for each category of the awards are selected from among many candidates by the magazine’s editorial team and travel experts, with the help of the community on Facebook and Instagram. It is indicative that a total of 150,000 Travelbook readers participated in this year’s vote to select the top destinations for 2026 in seven selected categories.

Greece received 28% of the votes, followed by New Zealand (24%), Sri Lanka (23%), Costa Rica (17%) and South Africa (9%).

“Greece: Offering attention and warmth to visitors is a given”

The awards ceremony took place on 23 September 2025 at the headquarters of the Axel Springer group in Berlin, with the Greek award being received by the Head of the GNTO Germany Service, Nicoleta Lekanidi.

During the award ceremony, the editor-in-chief of Book Family, Nuno Alves, noted: “I have had the great pleasure of visiting Greece many times: as a student, later with my wife and most recently with my two daughters. And each time I have noticed that there is one thing that remains constant there: the self-evident offering of attention and warmth to visitors.”

For her part, Ms. Lekanidi, receiving the award, noted that "in Greek we use the term 'hospitality', the love and friendliness towards strangers. However, this is about genuine love and true interest. Greece is more than beaches, sea and sun - it is the people. They show true love, warmth and joy for life. On a trip to Greece you can feel this feeling!"