In this article, we look at the 5 most unfriendly countries in Asia. You can read about the World Economic Forum’s findings linking countries’ tourism and travel competitiveness to their economic development by heading over to the 15 Most Unfriendly Countries in Asia, where we have also shed light on some of the top tourist destinations in Asia in 2023.
5. Bhutan
Score: 0.25
Bhutan is among the most unfriendly countries in Asia. The Himalayan country controls the number of tourists that pass through its borders. Moreover, it is one of the least welcoming countries in the world according to the Passport Index 2024, as it offers visa free entry or visa on arrival service to travelers from only three countries. As a result, just a little over a mere 95,000 foreigners visited Bhutan in 2023. You must travel on an official package if you are to visit Bhutan.
4. Syria
Score: 0.21
While Syria has a rich history dating back thousands of years, it is currently one of the most unstable and unfriendliest countries in Asia. The country has been engulfed in a decade-long civil war, which has made it unsafe for tourists to travel to the country. Anyone visiting Syria requires advance visas and security clearance arranged by a local tour operator. Syria is one of the least welcoming countries in the world according to the Passport Index 2024. It offers visa on arrival or eTA entry to passport holders of only 15 countries.
3. North Korea
Score: 0.15
North Korea is among the most regressive and closed societies in the world. It is the joint-least welcoming country in the world, along with Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, and does not offer visa-free, visa on arrival, or eTA entry to travelers from any country. Travel restrictions coupled with the coronavirus pandemic has made it further difficult for foreigners to travel to the country. A report in Bloomberg last month stated that Pyongyang was considering to allow tourists to enter the country this year for the first time since it closed its borders in 2020.
2. Yemen
Score: 0.05
Yemen is under the grip of a deadly civil war which has wreaked havoc on the country. It is currently the fourth least visited country in Asia, and a no-go-area, especially for tourists. The country’s infrastructure is heavily damaged, and the ongoing violence, high rates of murder, kidnapping, and terrorism have earned it a negative reputation in the world. The WEF in 2019 ranked Yemen as the worst country in the world for travel and tourism competitiveness.
1. Afghanistan
Score: 0.02
Afghanistan is the most unfriendly country in Asia and among the least welcoming in the world. The country has a history plagued with conflict, and its stringent laws and strict norms create a hostile environment for foreigners to adhere to. The situation has further aggravated after the fall of Ashraf Ghani’s government to the Taliban in 2021. Even domestically, local women cannot travel more than 76 kilometers if they are not accompanied by a male guardian.
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