Ausies ousted from friendliest nation top spot!
An AAP report says that Canada has ousted Australia as the world’s friendliest nation and to rub it in, China has knocked Australia out of the top 10 index that rates a nation’s brand name value.
The Anholt Nations Brand Index (NBI) poll has found Canadians have overtaken Australians as the world’s friendliest people, after interviewing 25,000 people in 35 developed and developing countries.
Australia also was bumped down two places in the brand name valuation index, from ninth to 11th, as China made its debut in the top 10.
But Australia managed to hold down the top spot as a holiday destination “if money was no object” and ranks as the country richest in natural beauty, closely followed by New Zealand.
NBI creator Simon Anholt said the poll, which is taken quarterly, highlighted how each nation was viewed by the rest of the world, reflecting aspects of trade, tourism and immigration.
“Although Australia may have slipped from being seen as the world’s friendliest nation, its reputation has improved in exports, governance and culture,” Mr Anholt said.
“Although global public opinion may not see the Aussies saying ‘G’day’ quite as much as before, there is a growing awareness of the country’s booming economy, and the world is perhaps starting to take Australia a little more seriously.”
Australia has dropped one place to sixth in overall tourism popularity, which is headed by Italy, France and Spain in the top three positions.
Austrade chief economist Tim Harcourt said Australia needed to finetune its image to attract more tourists.
“Although Australia still has a strong reputation as an aspirational destination, we must focus more on our cultural heritage, national parks and alternative, more accessible holiday options to encourage a broader tourism appeal,” Mr Harcourt said.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt