Over 49,000 JetPunk users have filled out a map of countries they have lived in or visited. Which countries were marked by the highest percentage of users?
While I agree, there is a very simple explanation. Copenhagen is a hop, skip and jump from Sweden. So you get a lot of cross travel between the two. Getting to Norway from any major city in Sweden is a lot more difficult.
Norway is also crazy expensive. Not that the rest of Scandinavia is cheap, but I blew through my travel budget in Norway really quickly and didn't do anything extravagant while I was there. I imagine people close enough to Norway to travel there might do the math and reason a cheaper trip to Germany, Netherlands, etc. might be a better option.
I am a (displeased) American at the moment and this is not a defensive comment. I have traveled quite a lot but for many people foreign travel is financially unattainable. The US is very big and there are numerous places that are fashioned on Europe: Pettit, Iowa modeled on Holland, St. Augustine, Florida on Malaga, Spain and many more. Travelling within Europe is the near-equivalent of travelling in the US. Travelling the US interstate is easy, drive from Maine to Ohio and you've visited 4 other states (all speaking English, same currency). Unfortunately, this does contribute to the...I'll call it arrogance of many US citizens, let alone constraining their cultural experience. Personally, I'm researching warm climate places to retire and many considerations are in Europe, suggestions accepted!
So users are either from the US or UK? Makes sense because it's an english language site. Then it makes sense that Brits travel around Europe while USA citizens...stay in the US.
Or, and hear me out here: US citizens travel to all kinds of different countries, including in Europe, and the combination of Americans and Europeans traveling to European countries means those countries skew toward the top? You know, a+b > a? How many different people are going to fail to understand that "most visited countries" is not the same as "the only countries people visit"?
Honestly, I'm fairly surprised that the US is as low as it is - I would've expected more than 64% of users to have been to the US at some point in their lives.
I think not everyone might select their home country. As it does not feel like you are visiting (which is what the map ask for, unlike this quiz which adds "have lived" besides just visiting). They might just think about places they went on holiday to.
I've only been in 4 countries so far, due to living in a not-so-rich family. I'm planning on reaching the 100 country mark eventually though! Does anyone have any suggestions regarding some less-visited countries?
My personal favorite less-often-visited countries include Israel, Ethiopia, Georgia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Lebanon, and Ukraine. I also loved Egypt, Thailand, Russia, Hong Kong and Japan, though, while none of those countries appear in the above rankings they all receive over 5 million tourists annually so I don't think I would call them "less-visited."
You do not have to be rich to travel! This is a common misconception. When I talk about my experiences traveling I'm always perplexed that people think that I'm bragging about being wealthy and living extravagantly. I'm not. I met people in my travels who were coming from modest families from Colombia, Trinidad, the Philippines, Sudan, Iraq, and many other places. I met people who were traveling for less than $250 a year or for free, and who had been doing this for years. Google things like shoestring travel, global nomads, Couchsurfing, food saving, workaway, rideshare, busking, hostelworld, etc. if you want to know how.
it's truly impressive how absolutely some people can miss the point. Is it a talent? A genetic condition? Anyway, thank you SO MUCH for chiming in I'm sure that everyone was on the edge of their seat waiting to hear what you had to contribute. And you did not disappoint with your insightful, valuable, worthwhile and in no way self indulgent commentary! Bravo, sir! You are an example to us all.
Most of these countries look like they are on the same Contiki tour that goes through Europe. Not that I've been on it, but have some friends that did.
ngl I've been to most of these countries separately or for multiple times, not much people could do that many countries on one trip unless their sole purpose is to tick countries off their list
Czech Republic is its official name but I use Czechia in the Countries Of The World quiz because it is quicker anyway Czech Republic is its official name
Saudiarabia is one of the most visited countries in the world. However for non-Muslims, who presumably make up the majority of the visitors to Jetpunk, the country was closed for tourism for many years. Chances are if you are from Europe or North America, you have not been to Saudiarabia. (There are always exceptions)
Sometimes in Western Europe we get from some people an anti American snobbery that American people don't travel , I always answer this by saying cost is a factor and also why would you need to leave the usa you can ski in Colorado get tropical in Florida / Hawaii see the desert in the South west mountains ,wilderness, big cities , musical history native history etc without leaving your country. I'm European by the way .
If you are not from Europe and are doing a tour there, you can visit plenty of countries in a few weeks...If you went to North America for a few weeks holiday, you'd probably only visit or 3 countries at most...if you live in Europe, it would be quite common to visit multiple nearby countries every year
I have visited 5 countries. 3 on this list. 1 of them I cant put on my map because Jetpunk has no way to select overseas territories so I cant select Bermuda :(
It is believable if 45% have visited Italy. The Vatican number is about 42% of the Italy number. That makes sense. Except for nearby Europeans, most people visiting Italy probably go to Rome. Why not wander over to the Vatican while you are there? (Full disclosure: that's why I went there.)
indeed, because the percentage refers just to the people that actually filled in the map. As mentioned at the top about 50k people. Not everyone that has ever used this site has filled it out.
What incentives are there to go to Mexico? I assume there are some cool cultural ruins. I'll choose a more stable country for a beach visit/general lethargy.
The fact that people struggle to understand how much easier and cheaper it is for Europeans to go by car/bus/train to neighbouring countries within Europe even for a weekend trip than do a full vacation on another continent...
Wtf, definetely not. People tend to travel to places are closer to them and most jetpunkers are from Europe or USA.
Most japonese will choose to travel aroung asia or oceania before europe. Most argentinans will choose Brazil before Eruope. Thats simply a matter of cost and distance
Everything that's been said about how easy it is to travel within Europe is true (relatively close, not as expensive as other travels, no need for a VISA...). However, I still wouldn't compare it to travel within US States, as there is a greater cultural and especially linguistic barrier between many European countries. While most of my European friends have travelled extensively, I also know several French people who'd rather go to Canada than to Spain or Italy, because they're afraid of the language barrier. I'm sure there are also lots of people of the US, among those who can afford it, who don't travel because of the language barrier.
I dont think the language barrier feels as strong to most of the world as it feels to americans. Itsnot that of a big deal, I traveled to russia when I was young and could only speak portuguese and an OK english and the trip was wonderful.
I mean, obviously people get excited to travel somewhere you can speak the language, so makes sense french wanting to visit canada, but I really doubt french people would avoid travelling to italy bc of the language
What are the archetypical Euro family vacations? (for English speakers)
I can group these by (UK//Portugal/Spain/France/Lowlands/Nordic). Are international car road trips popular? Or does train/plane make the logistics & fees easier?
I'm a little confused about how to group Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Poland, and Croatia.
I know of "dozen countries in 24 hours" types of trips.
I'm a little surprised to see the absence of Japan, China, SK, UAE, Russia, and maybe the Philippines or Thailand.
I was thinking of their aviation & languages. I'm guessing Russia has visa/language challenges. And maybe a lack of tourist industry due to distance + climate? No desire to go all the way to Moscow, just for Moscow?
I would've thought there'd be more SEA; something like Bangkok>KL>Singapore>Hanoi>Manila. Maybe it is too overwhelming to try to plan that with the language barriers. Same for Tokyo>Seoul>Vladivostok>Shanghai/Beijing.
There's only so much time & money. And easier trips to make.
road trips can be a nightmare in Europe because petrol is stupidly expensive and tolls can double that price in some countries *cough cough France*. You can fly to most any European capital return for under 100 euros if you just have a regular backpack
Vatican City here is such a funny result. Obviously statistically it makes sense that of the ~45% of people who have lived or visited Italy, many would have gone to Rome and therefore the Vatican, but it just never crossed my mind until after the quiz. Very weird to see it up here with much much bigger tourist destinations like France or Spain.
It's clear by the comments that most people can't read. It clearly states "lived or visited" so it would be weird if Caribbean countries were on this list with such small populations. Yes, Vatican City is on the list but that's because it's a very popular tourist destination within Europe and easy to travel to in comparison to the Caribbean.
You do not have to be rich to travel! This is a common misconception. When I talk about my experiences traveling I'm always perplexed that people think that I'm bragging about being wealthy and living extravagantly. I'm not. I met people in my travels who were coming from modest families from Colombia, Trinidad, the Philippines, Sudan, Iraq, and many other places. I met people who were traveling for less than $250 a year or for free, and who had been doing this for years. Google things like shoestring travel, global nomads, Couchsurfing, food saving, workaway, rideshare, busking, hostelworld, etc. if you want to know how.
It even felt a little weird to spell out 'Czech Republic' again...
And please don't talk about the second place ; the leaderboard is probably rigged right after the first place......... :D
Most japonese will choose to travel aroung asia or oceania before europe. Most argentinans will choose Brazil before Eruope. Thats simply a matter of cost and distance
I mean, obviously people get excited to travel somewhere you can speak the language, so makes sense french wanting to visit canada, but I really doubt french people would avoid travelling to italy bc of the language
I can group these by (UK//Portugal/Spain/France/Lowlands/Nordic). Are international car road trips popular? Or does train/plane make the logistics & fees easier?
I'm a little confused about how to group Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Poland, and Croatia.
I know of "dozen countries in 24 hours" types of trips.
I'm a little surprised to see the absence of Japan, China, SK, UAE, Russia, and maybe the Philippines or Thailand.
I was thinking of their aviation & languages. I'm guessing Russia has visa/language challenges. And maybe a lack of tourist industry due to distance + climate? No desire to go all the way to Moscow, just for Moscow?
I would've thought there'd be more SEA; something like Bangkok>KL>Singapore>Hanoi>Manila. Maybe it is too overwhelming to try to plan that with the language barriers. Same for Tokyo>Seoul>Vladivostok>Shanghai/Beijing.
There's only so much time & money. And easier trips to make.
I know JetPunk had a big spike of French Visiters but still.
Also i realize that its also travellers to France.
You all are missing out.