FutureBrand Consultancy’s fifth annual Country Brand Index predicts the UAE, China, and Vietnam will likely become top tourism destinations in five years. The United States unseated Australia to take the top position for the first time, followed by Canada in the second spot. Australia came in third for this years study and New Zealand and France rounded out the top five. FutureBrand said “The Obama effect has seen the US earn the top spot for the first time in the fifth annual index.”
The FutureBrand Country Brand Index includes 102 countries and is based on a survey of 3,000 business and leisure travelers from nine countries. The study identifies global trends in travel and tourism, which it says is the world’s fastest growing sector. The US was perceived as the ideal place to do business, the best place for families, shopping, and quality products, and the country people most wanted to visit.
