Is the camaraderie of the road alive and well?
Looking to meet friendly, welcoming and happy people as you travel? Then, you’d best be heading for the airport!
Yup, according to research carried out by the World Economic Forum (WEF), we can dismiss the fabled grey nomads’ camaraderie of the road as nothing more than an urban myth. If it’s a friendly welcome for travellers you’re looking for, then Iceland, Yemen or the United Arab Emirates are the places for you. The WEF study ranked 140 countries in order of friendliness shown to overseas visitors and Australia trailed in at a disappointing 27th.
Despite its famously freezing weather, warm-hearted Icelanders ensured their aptly named country came top of the friendliness pops.
While probably disappointed by Australia’s relatively lowly standing, the acting chief executive officer of the Tourism & Transport Forum, Trent Zimmerman, remained defiant.
“I think we have to take these findings from the WEF with a grain of salt, as Australians are known the world over for being a friendly mob,” he said. “Recent research in Australia’s top inbound source markets shows that ‘welcoming people’ are one of Australia’s top drawcards, along with world-class beauty and a safe environment.”
Indeed, the World Economic Forum report did congratulate Australia for having the highest number of World Heritage natural sites in the world, and praised it for its diverse fauna and comparatively pristine natural environment.
The top 10 friendly countries were: Iceland; New Zealand; Morocco; Macedonia; Austria; Senegal; Portugal; Bosnia & Herzegovina; Ireland; and Burkina Faso. The report named the least friendly countries as Latvia, Kuwait, Russia, Venezuela and last-placed Bolivia.
Do you think Aussies are less friendly than they used to be? Do you think the camaraderie of the road is an urban myth? Comment below.
Jeez, a table cloth? Talk about posh!
My husband, Jeff, and I did a Big Trip in 2008/9 and found that grey nomad camaraderie was alive and kicking then. We only met one couple who were unpleasant, the rest were wonderful. We made some long-term friends and one couple even invited us to their place for Christmas. We had an amazing time and hated having to return home to the UK. A monumental Thank You to everyone!!
In our short time of becoming travellers, we have meet nicer people on the road compared to living in suburbia where you no longer speak to your neighbours. Back home now and not enjoying it at all!
I would love to meet the desk bound jockey who wrote this tale I have always found the grey nomads that I have met to be friendly and helpful
The camaraderie in the freedom camps is alive and kicking! Not so sure about in the CP’s as I have to admit I have found them far less friendly…..but this survey that was carried out who were being asked? If it were the younger backpackers then maybe that is what they have experianced as sadly many of our GN;s do seem a bit anti backpackers although I usually get along with them well and find they are not as often ‘painted’ in travellers media.
annie