Just because a destination is compelling or popular doesn't make it tourist friendly. A geological feature, an abandoned castle or a wildlife refuge can put a region or a country on the map, but it won't criss-cross that map with the roads needed to get visitors from Hotel A to Lookout B and it can't guarantee that locals will be friendly to foreigners. A new study from the World Economic Forum shows that many countries don't have what athletic coaches often refer to as "intangibles," the hard to measure stuff that makes up the space between mediocre and great.
The WEF'sTravel and Tourism Report tosses around a lot of numbers as it tries to rank the success of the tourist industry in every nation on Earth, but the numbers that prove most interesting are the measures of "Affinity for Travel and Tourism," which chart various peoples' attitudes toward foreigners within the context of tourism's economic impact on their countries. By leveling the playing ground -- the "affinity" score doesn't take into account whether there is anything in a country actually worth visiting -- the report gives a rare view into which countries actually care about the tourists they attract.
And the countries that rank at the bottom for "Affinity" aren't all war torn or sub-Saharan. A Caribbean beach destination and a European power are among the 20 worst performers. China, meanwhile, came in with the 11th worst score overall, narrowly beating out Chad in the service department.
What does this mean for travelers? Visitors to the ten countries listed below--which ranked among the worst--may see beautiful sites, experience lovely weather and have a great time, but if they don't their complaints may fall on deaf ears.
10. Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone has been a war zone for some time and is probably best known as a source of "blood diamonds." The capital, Freetown, has come up in the world but it hasn't brought the rest of the country along.
Sierra Leone has been a war zone for some time and is probably best known as a source of "blood diamonds." The capital, Freetown, has come up in the world but it hasn't brought the rest of the country along.
This rich Middle Eastern country has plenty of sun but few welcome mats.
Trinidad and Tobago is a beautiful country and its presence on the list is slightly baffling, considering the locals are very friendly. Still, infrastructure could be better.
Chad has few roads and few peaceful areas. Not the kind of place you want to be.
Haiti is possessing of all manner of charms and every conceivable manner of problem.
Not the most welcoming place for westerners. Ixnay on the beachwear.
Algeria is a beautiful country, but the Arab Spring hasn't made it safer for the European tourists who used to come here.
Mother Russia is the go to destination for lovers of bureaucracy, paperwork and transportation boondoggles.
Bolivia made the list despite boasting some genuinely striking attractions, including the Salar de Uyuni salt flats and the Atacama Desert.
Chavez is dead but the anti-Western sentiment lives on. It may have the highest waterfalls on Earth, but it doesn't have much of an eco-tourism industry. Pity really.
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