November 27, 2024, 6:39 am | Read time: 6 minutes
Crowds on the beach, battles for the best loungers by the pool – sometimes, it can get pretty crowded and annoying in Germany’s favorite vacation destinations. But there is another way: TRAVELBOOK presents the eight countries with the fewest tourists.
The figures from the latest report by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) are clear: following the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, the tourism industry continues to be one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. With almost 1.3 billion passenger arrivals worldwide in 2023, the figures are almost back to pre-coronavirus levels. The number of travelers worldwide in 2019 was 1.46 billion – a record to date.
France, the USA, and Spain are among the most popular destinations. But there are also vacation destinations where there are hardly any tourists – despite the dream beach or dream area. It makes you wonder: what makes these destinations so unpopular that they even make the list of the eight least visited countries? In the case of Bhutan, it may be due to the fact that the country is generally quite expensive, and the entry regulations are somewhat more complicated than in other countries. But why Tonga in the South Pacific doesn’t attract more visitors remains a mystery. Incidentally, one of the least visited destinations in the world is also a country in Europe.
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These are the 8 least visited countries worldwide
1. Kiribati
Just 2,000 people visited the island state east of Indonesia in 2022. This makes it the top of the list of the least visited countries in the world. It consists of three island groups (the Gilbert Islands, Phoenix Islands, and Line Islands) with 33 atolls – widely scattered over an area north and south of the equator. The capital, South Tarawa, is located on the main atoll of Tarawa.
Kiribati (pronounced: Kiribas) conveys a pure South Seas feel, with white sandy beaches and untouched nature. A paradise for water sports enthusiasts, surfers, deep-sea fishermen, and birdwatchers. The Phoenix Islands, with their fascinating underwater world, are the largest protected marine area in the world. In addition to hotels and lodges, accommodation in traditional huts (Kia Kias) is popular. The inhabitants speak English, as Kiribati belonged to the United Kingdom until 1979.
According to the UNWTO, it is worth noting that the number of visitors has fallen significantly since 2019, when the country recorded around 12,000 arrivals. “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, infrastructural challenges and climate change-related changes, including extreme weather events, are the main causes of this decline, despite the country’s natural attractiveness to visitors,” writes the World Tourism Organization. Another factor in the lack of visitors is the difficulty of getting there. Kiribati can only be reached from Europe with several stopovers and there are only a few international flight connections.
2. Bhutan
The small kingdom of Bhutan, a large part of which lies at high altitude in the Himalayas, was almost cut off from the outside world for centuries. It was not until 1999 that television and the internet arrived in the country. The unique culture that developed thanks to the natural isolation in the mountains is still present today, for example in the prayer wheels, shrines, and stupas that can be found throughout the valleys.
According to the UNWTO, just 21,000 people visited Bhutan in 2022. In order to protect the tiny, quiet country from mass tourism, all visitors must book all-inclusive packages with accommodation, food, and transportation before entering the country. Otherwise, they will not receive a visa. “Entry is generally only possible as a tourist (in a group or individually) or as a guest of the government,” writes the Federal Foreign Office (AA) in its travel and security advice on Bhutan. Incidentally, significantly more tourists visited before the coronavirus pandemic: 316,000 in 2019.
3. Tonga
The Polynesian kingdom of Tonga actually offers everything South Seas lovers are looking for: sandy beaches, palm trees, snorkeling areas, and a friendly culture. However, due to the lengthy journey, at least from Europe, many tourists tend to choose less remote areas. 22,000 people visited the kingdom in the South Pacific in 2022. In the year before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, there were 94,000 visitors in total.
4. Samoa
Samoa offers equally beautiful beaches with a South Seas feel. The island republic is located in the Pacific Ocean south of the equator, not far from the International Date Line. The country consists of the main islands of Upolu and Savaii, as well as the smaller islands of Manono and Apolima. It is culturally connected to the island of Tutuila, which is politically part of the USA (American Samoa). The journey by plane via Australia, New Zealand, or the USA is long and relatively expensive. This is why the country is one of the least visited in the world. According to the UNWTO, Samoa recorded 51,000 arrivals in 2022 (2019: 181,000).
5. Vanuatu
With its 83 islands, Vanuatu is also one of the destinations that is still almost completely spared from tourist flows. Only 65,000 people traveled there in 2022. This is probably also due to its remote location. The journey to Vanuatu takes a very long time, with at least two stopovers.
The outer islands have the best beaches, beautiful coral reefs, waterfalls, lakes, and dense jungle. For many divers, Espiritu Santo is the dream destination par excellence. It is home to the 22,000-ton President Coolidge shipwreck, which sank in 1942 and is now considered one of the best dive sites in the world.
6. Papua New Guinea
The Micronesian island of Papua New Guinea, located in the southwest Pacific, is also one of the least visited countries in the world, with 69,000 arrivals. Yet, the third-largest island state in the world in terms of area offers a huge variety of species and cultural richness. Fantastic beaches and coral reefs characterize the coasts, while the interior is home to active volcanoes, dense rainforests, and adventurous hiking trails.
7. Liechtenstein
The Principality of Liechtenstein has the unique distinction of being the only European destination on the list of the world’s least visited countries. It is located between Austria and Switzerland and is one of Europe’s dwarf states, with an area of just 160 square kilometers. The small Alpine paradise is particularly suitable for mountain lovers and extensive hikes. Yet, only 109,000 people traveled there in 2022. In 2019, before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, there were even fewer visitors, with 98,000 arrivals.
Also interesting: The most underrated travel destinations for 2025 in Europe
8. Cook Islands
The Cook Islands are quickly gaining popularity as a hotspot for backpackers. However, due to its remote location, the island state, which is connected to New Zealand by “free association”, has relatively few visitors. There were 114,000 arrivals in 2022 (2019: 172,000).