Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, China and Mexico Are the Top Tourism Destinations where Travelers Feel like Outsiders due to Language, Friendliness, and Safety Challenges

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

A new study by Ubuy has ranked the world’s countries based on factors that make tourists feel like outsiders, shining a light on destinations where language barriers, friendliness, and safety concerns can impact the visitor experience. Leading the list is Thailand, which, despite its reputation as a warm and friendly destination, has a very low English proficiency index, making communication a challenge for many travelers. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Mexico follow closely, both with significant language and safety issues that could leave visitors feeling disconnected and less integrated with the local culture.

In conducting this study, Ubuy analyzed a range of metrics that impact a tourist’s ability to feel comfortable, including English proficiency, friendliness rankings, and safety indices. A composite score was developed for each country, combining these factors to identify the destinations where tourists may experience the most challenges. Higher scores indicate a greater likelihood that tourists will feel like strangers in a new environment, facing communication, friendliness, and safety obstacles.

Thailand

Thailand tops the list with a composite score of 98.9. Its very low English proficiency index of 416 presents a formidable barrier for travelers. Although Thailand is widely known for its friendly locals, this language limitation, combined with a moderate safety index of 62.2, means that visitors might struggle to fully integrate and enjoy their surroundings without feeling like outsiders. Even with the smiles and hospitality of the Thai people, many travelers may find it difficult to immerse themselves in local life fully.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates comes in second place with a composite score of 96.9. Although the UAE attracts millions of tourists every year, many of whom are drawn to Dubai’s luxurious attractions and Abu Dhabi’s cultural landmarks, it has a low English proficiency score of 486 and a friendliness rank of 18th. The language and friendliness gaps can make it challenging for non-Arabic-speaking visitors to connect with locals, and the relatively low number of international tourists—just 8.1 million annually—further indicates that the UAE may not have the same level of integration found in more tourist-heavy destinations.

Mexico

Mexico ranks third with a composite score of 89.9. Known for its warm hospitality, Mexico’s friendliness doesn’t entirely make up for its low English proficiency index of 451 and safety index of 46.3, one of the lowest among the top-ranking countries. Despite welcoming millions of visitors annually, safety concerns and language barriers can create a sense of detachment for tourists. Mexico’s high emigration rate, with over 11 million people living abroad, also suggests that economic and social challenges could impact tourists’ experiences.

Indonesia

Indonesia ranks fourth with a composite score of 83.9, presenting similar challenges. With a low English proficiency index of 473 and a moderate safety index of 54.0, many visitors may struggle to connect with locals or navigate the country comfortably. Although Indonesia is famous for its beautiful landscapes and cultural richness, these communication and safety limitations may make the experience feel more isolating.

China

China comes in fifth with a composite score of 77.4. While China boasts a high safety index, making it a relatively secure destination, it scores lower on English proficiency, with an index of 464. This language gap, combined with a friendliness ranking of 25th, suggests that tourists might find it difficult to communicate and engage with locals, limiting their sense of integration.

Vietnam

Vietnam ranks sixth with a composite score of 74.7, striking a balance between friendly locals and communication challenges. Its moderate English proficiency index of 505 makes it somewhat easier to navigate than other countries on the list, but it’s far from effortless. Although Vietnam ranks high in friendliness (5th), the country’s moderate safety index of 58.2 and relatively low international tourist arrivals (3.8 million annually) could contribute to a sense of unfamiliarity for many visitors.

Japan

Japan, with a composite score of 72.7, ranks seventh on the list. Despite being one of the safest countries in the study, with a high safety index of 77.3, Japan has a low English proficiency score of 457 and ranks 36th in friendliness. These factors can make it difficult for visitors, especially those unfamiliar with Japanese, to feel comfortable. Although Japan attracts around 4.1 million tourists annually, the cultural and language barriers can leave visitors feeling more like spectators than participants.

Brazil

Brazil ranks eighth, with a composite score of 69.8. Despite ranking 2nd in friendliness, Brazil’s low English proficiency index of 487 and a concerning safety index of 34.9—the lowest among the top-ranked countries—pose challenges. Brazil’s high friendliness score is a positive, but language and safety concerns may still make visitors feel somewhat out of place.

India

India ranks ninth, with a composite score of 67.6. Although English is widely spoken, India’s friendliness rank of 20th and safety index of 55.7 suggest it may not be as welcoming as expected. Despite receiving 17.9 million tourists annually, India’s large population and varied cultural landscape might make it overwhelming for visitors to navigate comfortably.

Turkey

Turkey rounds out the top ten with a composite score of 58.9. Although Turkey receives 16 million tourists each year, its low English proficiency index of 493 and friendliness rank of 26th mean that communication and cultural integration can still be challenging for visitors. Turkey’s moderate safety index of 59.0 adds to the list of factors that might make it more difficult for tourists to feel fully at home.

This study sheds light on how various cultural and linguistic factors impact the tourist experience, especially in destinations where language and safety can play significant roles in shaping how welcomed or alienated travelers feel. As more tourists seek meaningful connections while exploring the globe, these insights emphasize the importance of bridging language and cultural divides to create more inclusive and comfortable travel experiences.

In summary, Ubuy’s analysis provides a valuable resource for travelers, especially those venturing into destinations with low English proficiency and mixed friendliness and safety metrics. This ranking may help travelers prepare for the specific challenges they might face in these countries, empowering them to make informed choices that align with their comfort levels and preferences.