Being a traveler helps you see things in a different perspective and encourages you to adapt, not just to varying environments, but also to people who are raised in different cultures. Over the years, some countries have gained a reputation for being friendlier than others.
The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index is published by the World Economic Forum. This report comes out every two years and the most recent one declared Spain as the world’s most tourist-friendly country. Other countries that made the cut include Germany, France, the US and Australia. If you’re still contemplating where to go this year, here are some thoughts on where you will be welcomed with open arms.
Spain
There are over 60 million people that arrive in this friendly European country every year. Having a healthy tourism industry stretching back to the 1960s, Spain ticks all of the boxes when it comes to culture, infrastructure and warmth of welcome. The natives certainly know how to treat visitors, because they have had plenty of time to learn. This country might be poor at organizing its economy, but can’t be faulted when it comes to tourism.
France
If you fly over to France, you get the feel of just how vast and green this country is. Agriculture is important, but with annual arrivals of around 84 million, then so is tourism. You cannot fault the French for going the extra mile to make their country hospitable. In fact, they have a natural passion for greeting overseas visitors.
Germany
Least we forget that today’s tourism industry is a cut-throat business, we should have a look at Germany and understand why it ranked so highly. For infrastructure, cultural resources and welcome, this organized and efficient county did very well on the tourism index. In terms of price competitiveness, however, Germany needs improvement.
The United States
This country is on most travelers’ bucket list to visit at least once in their lifetime. Last year, the US had 74 million visitors, which made it the highest-ranked country in the Americas. The natives here are always friendly, as reflected in the country’s high scores on hospitality. Even visa restrictions do not deter travelers since they know that once they get in, they might not want to leave the place anymore.
Australia
This vast country just made it into the top ten, probably on the basis of the amazing natural recourses and unique character of both the land and the people. In Australia, the tourism industry is well developed, and there are lots of things to do and see. The Australian people are helpful and very friendly in general. The big downer here, though, is a lack of price competitiveness.
Let’s not get too carried away with index surveys, as a holiday is what you make it, and is only partially influenced by the people you meet along the way. A country not on the list that has always been a fantastic place to visit is the Philippines. Many visitors have commented on the genuine hospitality and bright smiles of the Filipinos, which made them decide to buy properties in the country. By using Zipmatch, a property finder in the Philippines, they are able to discover valuable properties from the real estate market. With a housing market boom, you can not only make a good investment in real estate, but also take your time to savor the beauty of the land and the people.
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