Assessing Graubuenden's Standing as Switzerland's Most Welcoming Tourist Destination?
Rewritten Article:
In the 'Traveller Review Awards 2025', Booking.com placed Graubünden, the mountainous region in eastern Switzerland, at the 5th spot for its hospitable and friendly inhabitants. This ranking was based on over 240 million reviews from users worldwide who rated regions based on exceptional hospitality and services.
Let's dig a little deeper into Graubünden
This Canton of Switzerland, home to the unique language, Romansh, is its only region with its own tongue. Romansh is an umbrella term for five regional versions, including Sursilvan, Sutsilvan, Surmiran, Puter, and Vallader. Despite having a total population of approximately 205,000, only around 60,000 people still speak the language. German and Italian are also commonly spoken due to geographical spread.
Graubünden goes by various names – Grisons in French, Grigioni in Italian, and Grischun in Romansh – a reflection of the diverse cultures that thrive in this region.
Who doesn't know Graubünden?
Best known for its world-class ski resorts like Davos and St. Moritz, Graubünden is also synonymous with the fictional Swiss girl, Heidi. Heidi, her friend Peter, and her herd of goats reportedly dwelled above the Maienfeld community in Graubünden.
But is Graubünden the most hospitable canton as per the survey?
The data doesn't provide a definitive answer, so we can only rely on subjective evidence. While Booking.com's study doesn't offer testimonials, other surveys suggest that Graubünden's residents are quite welcoming. For instance, a survey by Moneyland consumer platform ranked Graubünden high in friendliness ratings, though it fell short of being the friendliest canton.
Interestingly, the youngest age group (18-25 years) rated Graubünden as the friendliest canton. So, when you visit Graubünden, you're guaranteed a warm 'Allegra' – the Romansh word for 'Welcome'.
Despite not claiming the top spot in all surveys, Graubünden showcases genuine hospitality. Places like Guarda, renowned for its preserved Engadine architecture and cultural heritage, and Vals with its Peter Zumthor-designed thermal spa, offer unparalleled guest experiences.
However, ongoing research highlights national hospitality trends rather than regional rankings. While Graubünden-specific employers don’t feature in the top 10 of the Randstad Employer Brand Research 2025, broader Swiss trends suggest a focus on minimalist design and luxury-nature blends in the hospitality sector, and a resurgence in business travel demand.
Though not ranked as the "most hospitable canton" by multiple surveys, Graubünden embodies the essence of hospitality with its charming people, captivating landscapes, and distinctive culture.
- Graubuenden, a canton in Switzerland, is located in the region where Romansh, a unique language, is spoken, including the dialects Sursilvan, Sutsilvan, Surmiran, Puter, and Vallader.
- Despite not being the most hospitable canton according to numerous surveys, Graubuenden presents an authentic hospitality experience, with places like Guarda, known for its preserved Engadine architecture and cultural heritage, offering unparalleled guest experiences.
- In addition to being renowned for its world-class ski resorts and being the setting for Heidi, a beloved fictional Swiss girl, Graubuenden also welcomes visitors with a warm greeting in the Romansh word 'Allegra', meaning 'Welcome'.
