Least Tourist-Friendly Countries

Although vacation is supposed to be fun, relaxing and rewarding, some countries are a bit more welcoming than others.

The World Economic Forum released a report on global tourism travel competitiveness, including how welcoming countries were to tourists. To determine the country’s affinity for travel and tourism, the organization considered customer orientation, openness to foreign visitors and local stateholder involvement.

The “friendliness” of a country was just one facet of the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, which also ranked countries on other factors that contribute to tourism, such as tourism infrastructure and facilities; business travel appeal; environmental sustainability; safety and security; and human resources.

According to the index, here are the 10 countries that were ranked as least welcoming based on the above considerations.

Least welcoming

10. Mongolia

Monastery built in 1653

Affinity score: 5.5

Overall index rank: 99

Travel and tourism industry GDP: $292.2 million

9. Bulgaria

Central Balkan

Affinity score: 5.5

Overall index rank: 50

Travel and tourism industry GDP: $1.9 billion

8. Slovakia

UNESCO Heritage Site the center of Bardejov

Affinity score: 5.5

Overall index rank: 54

Travel and tourism industry GDP: $2.2 billion

7. Pakistan

Faisal Mosque in Islamabad

Affinity score: 5.3

Overall index rank: 122

Travel and tourism industry GDP: $6.8 billion

6. Iran

Vakil Bazaar in Shiraz

Affinity score: 5.2

Overall index rank: 98

Travel and tourism industry GDP: $11.3 billion

5. Latvia

Countryside in Sabile

Affinity score: 5.2

Overall index rank: 48

Travel and tourism industry GDP: $862.8 million

4. Kuwait

Kuwait City skyline

Affinity score: 5.2

Overall index rank: 101

Travel and tourism industry GDP: $4.16 billion

3. Russian Federation

St. Basil Cathedral and the Saviour Tower in Moscow

Affinity score: 5

Overall index rank: 63

Travel and tourism industry GDP: $27 billion

2. Venezuela

Downtown Caracas

Affinity score: 4.5

Overall index rank: 114

Travel and tourism industry GDP: $10.5 billion

1. Bolivia

Lake Titicaca

Affinity score: 4.1

Overall index rank: 110

Travel and tourism industry GDP: $621.2 million

See the full report here.

Have you visited any of these countries? What has been your experience?