Countries are ranked across 30 distinct categories providing a rich perspective on strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. The rankings speak to qualities that compel consideration and assets that shape country reputations, perceptions and experiences. New categories to this year's rankings include best country brand for "Standard of Living," "Political Freedom" and "Advanced Technology."

Click on a category to see additional 2008 rankings

Authenticity

History

Art & Culture

Resort & Lodging Options

Ease Of Travel *

Safety

Rest & Relaxation

Natural Beauty

Beach

Nightlife

Shopping

Fine Dining

Outdoor Activities & Sports

Friendly Locals

Families

Value For Money

Rising Star

Standard Of Living *

Ideal For Business

Easiest To Do Business In

New Country For Business *

Conferences

Extend A Business Trip

Political Freedom *

Most Like To Live In

Quality Products *

Desire To Visit / Visit Again *

Advanced Technology *

Environmentalism

Most Impressive Last Year *

* New categories to 2008

AUTHENTICITY
Delivering distinctive, genuine and unique cultures and experiences

  1. (4)Japan
  2. (5)Thailand
  3. (8)India
  4. (6)Egypt
  5. (3)South Africa
  6. (9)Peru
  7. Belize
  8. Australia
  9. (2)China
HISTORY
Magnificent pasts celebrated by citizens and visitors alike

  1. (2)Italy
  2. (5)France
  3. (4)Greece
  4. (10)Israel
  5. (6)United Kingdom
  6. (3)China
  7. (8)India
  8. (9)Peru
  9. Japan
ART & CULTURE
A thriving culture of fine arts, architecture, literature and performing arts

  1. (2)France
  2. (3)Egypt
  3. (9)Japan
  4. (6)Greece
  5. (5)United Kingdom
  6. Israel
  7. (4)India
  8. (7)China
  9. Germany
RESORT & LODGING OPTIONS
A superior variety of accommodation options

  1. (6)United States
  2. (2)Maldives
  3. (3)Australia
  4. Switzerland
  5. (5)Canada
  6. (7)Bahamas
  7. Monaco
  8. (8)Singapore
  9. (4)Tahiti
EASE OF TRAVEL
The ability to enter, travel within and exit a country easily

  1. Spain
  2. Canada
  3. Switzerland
  4. Germany
  5. United Kingdom
  6. Denmark
  7. Sweden
  8. Italy
  9. France
SAFETY
Considered most stable and secure

  1. (5)Switzerland
  2. (1)New Zealand
  3. (3)Sweden
  4. (4)Denmark
  5. (2)Canada
  6. Monaco
  7. Belgium
  8. (7)Austria
  9. (6)Australia
REST & RELAXATION
The ideal array of tranquil and rejuvenating activities

  1. (2)Tahiti
  2. (5)New Zealand
  3. (6)Fiji
  4. (3)Bahamas
  5. (9)Bermuda
  6. (7)Aruba
  7. (4)Jamaica
  8. Switzerland
  9. Ireland
NATURAL BEAUTY
Striking topography and physical assets

  1. (3)Maldives
  2. (6)Switzerland
  3. Norway
  4. (2)Australia
  5. (9)Ireland
  6. (4)Canada
  7. Scotland
  8. Tahiti
  9. Chile
BEACH
Pristine beaches, from remote to mainstream

  1. (2)Tahiti
  2. (3)Bahamas
  3. (5)Dominican Republic
  4. (4)Australia
  5. (10)Fiji
  6. Barbados
  7. (9)Mexico
  8. (8)Bermuda
  9. Brazil
NIGHTLIFE
Noteworthy bar, nightclub and late-night scene

  1. (3)Brazil
  2. (1)Spain
  3. (4)Thailand
  4. (2)United States
  5. (6)Australia
  6. (5)Singapore
  7. Netherlands
  8. (7)United Kingdom
  9. France
SHOPPING
Accessible, diverse and abundant retail choices

  1. (2)UAE
  2. (3)Singapore
  3. (9)Thailand
  4. (5)Japan
  5. (6)France
  6. (4)Italy
  7. Monaco
  8. (7)United Kingdom
  9. (10)South Korea
FINE DINING
Superior culinary offerings and experiences

  1. (1)France
  2. (4)Japan
  3. (3)Singapore
  4. Switzerland
  5. Austria
  6. (9)Spain
  7. Monaco
  8. Belgium
  9. (7)UAE
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES & SPORTS
Best conditions, terrain and opportunities for land or water sports

  1. (2)New Zealand
  2. (3)Canada
  3. (9)Belize
  4. Switzerland
  5. Maldives
  6. Aruba
  7. (5)United States
  8. (10)Austria
  9. Scotland
FRIENDLY LOCALS
Welcoming citizens who make visitors feel comfortable

  1. (4)Ireland
  2. (5)Thailand
  3. (2)Canada
  4. (1)Australia
  5. Scotland
  6. (6)Sweden
  7. (7)Fiji
  8. Bahamas
  9. Italy
FAMILIES
Providing diverse activities and offerings for visitors of all ages

  1. Spain
  2. (1)Denmark
  3. (3)Australia
  4. (7)New Zealand
  5. (5)Sweden
  6. (6)Austria
  7. (4)United States
  8. (8)Ireland
  9. (9)Italy
VALUE FOR MONEY
Offering the most in return for the price you pay

  1. (10)India
  2. (4)Mexico
  3. (3)Czech Republic
  4. Poland
  5. United States
  6. Malaysia
  7. (7)Turkey
  8. South Africa
  9. (2)Hungary
RISING STAR
On their way to becoming major destinations

  1. (3)UAE
  2. (1)Croatia
  3. (4)Vietnam
  4. India
  5. (6)Cuba
  6. Costa Rica
  7. Turkey
  8. (7)Iceland
  9. (9)Russian Federation
STANDARD OF LIVING
Countries with the best quality of life

  1. Norway
  2. Denmark
  3. Australia
  4. Switzerland
  5. Japan
  6. Canada
  7. Germany
  8. New Zealand
  9. United Arab Emirates
IDEAL FOR BUSINESS
Considered best to do business in or with

  1. Germany
  2. (3)United Kingdom
  3. (4)France
  4. (5)Italy
  5. (6)Australia
  6. (2)China
  7. Austria
  8. Canada
  9. (8)Japan
EASIEST TO DO BUSINESS IN
Welcoming and facilitating business culture

  1. (1)United States
  2. (7)Germany
  3. Denmark
  4. (4)Ireland
  5. (2)United Kingdom
  6. (9)Singapore
  7. (8)Australia
  8. Japan
  9. (6)Switzerland
NEW COUNTRY FOR BUSINESS
The place where people would most like to start doing business

  1. United Arab Emirates
  2. Singapore
  3. Canada
  4. Qatar
  5. Switzerland
  6. Germany
  7. Scotland
  8. United States
  9. Ireland
CONFERENCES
Preferred off-site convention destination

  1. (1)United States
  2. (4)Singapore
  3. (3)Germany
  4. (8)Canada
  5. (2)Switzerland
  6. (5)United Arab Emirates
  7. United Kingdom
  8. Qatar
  9. Sweden
EXTEND A BUSINESS TRIP
Where travelers want to extend business travel into personal vacation

  1. (8)New Zealand
  2. Scotland
  3. (4)Japan
  4. Ireland
  5. (1)United States
  6. Sweden
  7. (7)Canada
  8. (3)Italy
  9. (5)Thailand
POLITICAL FREEDOM
Noted for democratic institutions and civil liberties

  1. New Zealand
  2. Sweden
  3. Denmark
  4. Norway
  5. Canada
  6. Belgium
  7. Australia
  8. Switzerland
  9. United Kingdom
MOST LIKE TO LIVE IN
Where most people would choose to live, outside of their home country

  1. (2)New Zealand
  2. (1)Canada
  3. (8)Switzerland
  4. Scotland
  5. (4)Sweden
  6. (6)United States
  7. Ireland
  8. Germany
  9. (7)United Kingdom
QUALITY PRODUCTS
Producer of the most high-quality goods and services

  1. United States
  2. Germany
  3. France
  4. Italy
  5. United Kingdom
  6. Switzerland
  7. Canada
  8. South Korea
  9. Sweden
DESIRE TO VISIT / VISIT AGAIN
The country travelers would most like to visit or return to

  1. Italy
  2. Australia
  3. United States
  4. Maldives
  5. Ireland
  6. United Kingdom
  7. Japan
  8. Canada
  9. Thailand
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
The country where the latest technologies are most prevalent

  1. United States
  2. United Kingdom
  3. Sweden
  4. Germany
  5. Singapore
  6. Switzerland
  7. Finland
  8. South Korea
  9. United Arab Emirates
ENVIRONMENTALISM
Most oriented toward environmental protection

  1. Norway
  2. (5)Switzerland
  3. (2)New Zealand
  4. Finland
  5. (4)Iceland
  6. (6)Denmark
  7. (8)Germany
  8. (7)Canada
  9. Netherlands
MOST IMPRESSIVE LAST YEAR
The country with the most noteworthy performance in the past 12 months

  1. United Arab Emirates
  2. Australia
  3. New Zealand
  4. Japan
  5. Italy
  6. Canada
  7. United States
  8. India
  9. France