Are you up for going on that unique trip that almost no one has done before you?
The problem might just be finding the right destination. The least visited country in the world may not be the one you would think.
Click here to go straight to the destinations >
I am currently conducting research through visits to all 198 countries of the world.
The reason? To figure out where I eventually want to go on proper holiday. I have been to 190 countries so far and I often wondered which countries are the very least visited ones. Remoteness, visa regulations, governments, available travel information and how many visitors I see on my travels give me a certain idea, but what do the statistics say? If they even exist? And where can I find such official statistics?
UNWTO, World Tourism Organization has a pretty good overview. Some countries, especially some of which are likely to receive very few visitors per year, are still left out, which means that the information must be found elsewhere. I have found info on the remaining ones from various sources, such as newspaper articles or independent travel reports. Do also note that such statistics will never be entirely accurate. Some countries only measure tourists arriving by air, others only track boat arrivals, yet others base their info on information from hotels. And some people on business still say that they are in a country as a tourist to avoid extra bureaucracy.
Of the 25 least visited countries in the world, the most visited country only has 73,000 foreign tourists in a year, and the least visited has less than 200. That is way behind number one, France, with 79.5 million annual foreign visitors.
A version of this post originally appeared on Garfors.com, and is republished here with permission.
25. Dominica: 73,000 tourists (2011, UNWTO)
Why so few?
The island nation is rather small without too many tourist facilities. The only commercial airport cannot handle big aircraft, so the nation is served by propeller planes only.
Why you may still want to visit
The jungle provides refuge for a great number of birds and animals. And the rural feel of the island nation makes it feel anything but touristy, exactly what you may be looking for.
What else
Do not confuse Dominica with Dominican Republic. Both countries are in the Caribbean, but they are very different. Buy coconuts from salesmen by the road and eliminate your thirst. Just know how to haggle or you will be ripped off.
24. Chad: 71,000 tourists (2010, UNWTO)
Why so few?
There's political instability and unrest in this landlocked and dry country. Rebels make large parts of the country less than safe.
Why you may still want to visit
You find the biggest rocks in the world in Chad, although you should hire armed guards in 4WD vehicles to go there due to robbers that sometimes go violent. It's amazing for climbing! The capital N'Djamena is a big market town with some impressive governmental buildings.
What else
Mastercard is not accepted in Chad, so bring cash or a Visa card.
23. Central African Republic: 54,000 tourists (2010, UNWTO)
Why so few?
The landlocked country isn't really famous for much. It is one of the poorest in Africa.
Why you may still want to visit
Do go by boat on one of the many rivers in the countries. And relax in semi-modern Bangui where you'll find French cuisine and a bakery.
What else
Do not take photos of locals unless they give you permission to do so. Or risk facing a threatening mob.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider