International travel has surged in recent years, with millions of Americans exploring destinations across the globe. However, despite the growing trend of international trips, there are certain countries where American tourists are less welcome.
To identify the 25 countries that are less favorable towards American tourists, we used a latest Yahoo Finance study which uses Pew Research Center and The Getaway.com, along with insights from Quora, YouGov, and Reddit threads (r/AskAnAmerican, r/AskReddit, and r/travel) to gather firsthand experiences.
Egypt
Despite being a popular tourist destination, Egypt tops the list due to long-standing political tensions and reduced aid from the US following President Mohamed Morsi’s fall. Anti-American sentiment remains high, leading to travel advisories against visiting the country.
Iran
Historical conflicts and political differences have led to widespread negative perceptions of Americans in Iran. A 2019 survey revealed that 86% of Iranians held an unfavorable view of the US, reflecting deep-seated animosity.
Yemen
The civil war in Yemen and the US’s involvement in the conflict have significantly influenced Yemeni opinions. Many see the American government as an enabler of their ongoing strife, resulting in strong anti-American sentiments.
North Korea
With no formal diplomatic relations and a history of hostility, North Korea’s stance towards the US is unequivocally negative. The regime’s propaganda often portrays America as the primary adversary.
Jordan
Jordan’s disapproval of US foreign policies, especially military interventions in the Middle East, has led to longstanding anti-American sentiments. These feelings are exacerbated by the country’s proximity to regional conflicts.
Iraq
The US invasion of Iraq and its aftermath have left a lasting impact on Iraqi society. Many Iraqis harbor negative views of Americans, influenced by the prolonged instability and suffering following the invasion.
Lebanon
US interventions in the Middle East and the restrictions on international aid have strained Lebanon’s view of America. The Lebanese often view US policies as detrimental to their region’s stability.
Tunisia
Anti-American sentiment in Tunisia spiked after the release of an anti-Islamic film in 2012, which led to widespread protests. Political views have since contributed to a general dislike for American tourists.
Turkey
US-Turkey relations have been tumultuous, particularly following the 2016 coup attempt. Many Turks disapprove of US foreign policy, leading to a significant number of unfavorable opinions towards Americans.
Russia
Historical tensions and ongoing geopolitical disputes continue to color Russian perceptions of Americans. Surveys indicate that over half of Russians hold unfavorable views of the US.
China
Trade disputes and human rights issues have strained US-China relations. Consequently, many Chinese harbor reservations about American tourists, viewing them through a lens of nationalistic pride and political contention.
Afghanistan
Decades of conflict involving the US have left deep scars in Afghan society. Pashtuns, Afghanistan’s largest ethnic group, gave a mere 8% approval rating to the US, reflecting the widespread disapproval of American involvement.
Malaysia
Cultural differences and political disagreements have led to unfavorable views of Americans in Malaysia. A Pew Research Center survey reported that 57% of Malaysians held negative opinions about the US.
Argentina
A significant portion of Argentinians mistrusts US actions on the global stage. Historical grievances and economic factors contribute to the unfavorable views held by many Argentinians.
New Zealand
Cultural clashes, particularly the perceived lack of cultural engagement by American tourists, have led to relatively low favorable opinions of the US among New Zealanders.
Pakistan
Post-9/11 political events have severely strained US-Pakistan relations. Many Pakistanis view the US with suspicion and hostility, influenced by ongoing geopolitical issues.
Singapore
The disapproval of US politics, particularly during the Trump administration, has contributed to a negative perception of Americans. Cultural differences also play a significant role in these sentiments.
Chile
Nearly half of the Chilean population holds an unfavorable view of the US, despite the strong bilateral relationship. Political disagreements and cultural differences contribute to these perceptions.
Belarus
Economic challenges and political isolation have fueled negative opinions towards the US in Belarus. A survey indicated that 69% of Belarusians disapprove of Americans.
Slovenia
Caution towards US politics and values has led to a generally reserved attitude towards American tourists in Slovenia. However, perceptions have improved over time.
Cuba
Decades of strained relations following the Cuban Revolution continue to affect Cuban views of Americans. The mutual distrust is reflected in both societies’ opinions of each other.
Serbia
Historical conflicts, particularly NATO’s intervention in the 1990s, have left a lasting impact on Serbian views of the US. Many Serbs view America as an adversary
Norway
Norwegians generally oppose tourism, with a particular disfavor towards American and Chinese visitors. A YouGov study revealed high opposition percentages, reflecting a preference for more culturally similar tourists.
Austria
Austrians often perceive Americans as loud and disruptive, which clashes with their more reserved cultural norms. This cultural difference contributes to the less favorable view of American tourists.
