Monthly Archives: December 2024

Spain – the world’s second most popular tourism destination -- attracts visitors from El Paso and across West Texas with its sunny beaches, historic sites, art museums, and cultural features.  More than 85 million people visited the country in 2023, making Spain second only to France for foreign visitors.

“From sun-drenched archipelagos and bustling urban cities to snowcapped mountains and semi-arid deserts, Spain epitomizes geographical diversity,” Tripadvisor reported recently (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g187427-Spain-Vacations.html). “As the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, this vast country offers some of Europe’s most dramatic landscapes, as well as some of its tastiest cuisine.”

The Kingdom of Spain is the largest country in Southern Europe, encompassing the majority of the Iberian Peninsula; several archipelagos such as the Canary Islands in the Atlantic and the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean; and two cities in northern Africa.  Spain enjoys almost 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles) of coastline ranging from grand resorts to quaint fishing villages.  The country is bordered by France and Andorra to the north and Portugal to the west.

Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa and sixth largest in the world, continues to grow in popularity as a tourist and business destination for residents of Salt Lake City and the state of Utah.  Known as the “Giant of Africa” -- every fifth African is Nigerian and its former capital, Lagos, is the largest city on the continent -- Nigeria is a regional powerhouse that dominates West Africa.

While the U.S. State Department advises travelers to reconsider visiting Nigeria due to risks of crime and terrorism, the warnings are largely confined to certain areas of the country.  “After they have spent a day or two in Nigeria, most visitors are surprised to see that the country is so much more than its reputation for scam artists and kidnappings,” Lonely Planet reported (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/things-to-know-before-traveling-to-nigeria). “Shake off that image.  The moment you step out of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) – the default port of entry for most international visitors – you’ll immediately sense that you’re entering a world of wonder and contrasts.”

Italy – the world’s fourth most visited country by foreigners – attracted more than 60 million travelers in 2023.  Almost 5.4 million U.S. citizens visited that year, including residents of Atlanta and other cities across the American Southeast, placing the United States behind only Germany as a top source of tourists to enjoy Italy’s historic treasures, religious sites, beaches, and ski resorts.

The Italian Republic covers more than 116,000 square miles, mostly on a peninsula that reaches from the mountainous Alps to the Mediterranean Sea.  The country also includes Sicily, Sardinia, and almost 800 other islands.  Bordered by France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia, Italy also borders two landlocked enclaves: Vatican City and San Marino.  Rome is Italy’s capital and largest city; other major metropolitan areas include Milan, Naples, Venice, Turin, and Florence.

Brazil’s popularity as a retirement destination for foreigners has grown as the government continues to fine-tune its retirement visa program.  Sandy beaches, lush tropical jungles, friendly people, and low prices make South America’s largest country an attractive destination for tourists and retirees from San Antonio and the state of Texas.

The Federative Republic of Brazil’s culture is shaped by a blend of European, African, and indigenous influences.  The former Portuguese colony is known for shimmering beaches, Amazon rainforests, rugged mountains, and oceanic islands.  Brazil is the only predominantly Portuguese-speaking nation in the Americas.  However, English speakers are rarely found outside the major cities, so language barriers can present a challenge.  High crime in urban areas, poor infrastructure, and political uncertainty also remain persistent problems.

Portugal, long a popular destination for international travelers from Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, continues to set new tourism records by recording 10.5 million overnight stays and 3.8 million visitors in August 2024 alone.  More than two million U.S. citizens visited Portugal in 2023, ranking it third only to neighboring Spain and the nearby United Kingdom for foreign visitors.

While many tourists flock to the largest metropolitan areas, Lisbon and Porto, “There's so much more to Portugal than its captivating historic cities.” Lonely Planet reported. “From golden beaches and mountainous peaks to lush river valleys, every region has its own diverse highlights across this small Iberian nation.” (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-places-to-visit-in-portugal)

Portugal is located along the western coast of the Iberian Peninsula, sharing a land border with Spain.  Its 500-mile coastline borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and the country includes the island regions of Madeira and the Azores.  While the nation only covers some 35,600 miles, its imperial history continues to affect other nations and cultures around the world.  During the Age of Discovery, the Kingdom of Portugal’s maritime empire made the country a major political and economic power, including trading powers and colonies stretching from Africa to the coasts of the South Atlantic and Indian oceans.  However, Portugal endured centuries of internal political conflicts, civil wars, and foreign intervention until 1974’s Carnation Revolution established the current Portuguese Republic.  As a result, there are more than 250 million Portuguese speakers globally in former colonies such as Brazil and Macau, as well as 10.6 million people who live in Portugal.  

The volcanic hills, jungles, lakes, and rivers of Uganda – home to mountain gorillas, tree-climbing lions, and exotic flora and fauna – continue to draw visitors to the East African nation.  Dubbed the “Pearl of Africa” more than a century ago by Winston Churchill, its natural beauty and vibrant culture make Uganda a unique destination for travelers from San Francisco and the Northern California region.

The landlocked Republic of Uganda is bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Tanzania.  The former Buganda kingdom and British protectorate became an independent nation in 1962.  Since then, Uganda suffered through decades of political conflict and oppression, particularly during the brutal reign of Ida Amin in the 1970s.  Social unrest continues: the U.S. State department recommends that Americans “reconsider travel to Uganda due to crime, terrorism, and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.”

Greece – one of the world’s top 10 tourist destinations – attracted more than 33 million visitors in 2023, including over 1.4 million Americans.  Residents of Baltimore and other towns in Central Maryland come for its cultural treasures, sunny beaches, spectacular islands, and the longest coastline in Europe.

Officially the Hellenic Republic, Greece is located on the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula.  Bordered by Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Turkey, its coastline stretches more than 13,600 kilometers (8,500 miles) along the Sea of Crete and the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean seas.  The country also includes thousands of islands: some uninhabited, some covered in forests, others offering deep caves within massive rock formations – and all featuring sandy beaches and clear sparking waters.

Considered the cradle of Western civilization, Greece is the birthplace of democracy, Western literature and philosophy, theater, mathematics, science, and the Olympic Games.  More than 2,800 years ago, Greece was comprised of independent city-states.  It later became part of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires before emerging as a modern nation in 1830.  After decades as a kingdom and dictatorship, the current parliamentary republic was founded in 1975.  

Belgium attracted more than 9.7 million foreign travelers in 2023 and recorded 44.7 million overnight stays – a new national record.  Almost half a million U.S. citizens visited that year, including travelers from Atlanta and other American cities, placing the United States as the top overseas country for travelers to the “Crossroads of Europe.”

“Travelers often overlook Belgium in favor of neighbors like France and the Netherlands, but it’s one of Europe’s best kept secrets,” according to Lonely Planet. “While its history means Belgium is linguistically and culturally diverse, it’s also small and compact, making it easy to hop between destinations.  From perfect fries and chocolate to accessible nature breaks, picturesque medieval towns, and vibrant art and fashion scenes, there's plenty to experience in Belgium.” (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-places-to-visit-in-belgium)

The Kingdom of Belgium, located in the Low Countries region of northwestern Europe, borders France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the North Sea.  Its government and major institutions are structured around three autonomous regions: Fleming, Walloon, and the Brussels-Capital regions.  The 11.2 million residents primarily speak one of the three official languages: Dutch (60%), French (less than 40%), and German.  Brussels is Belgium’s capital and largest metropolitan area; other major cities include Antwerp, Ghent, Liege, and Bruges.

Memphis area residents exploring new destinations are among the 80,000 Americans who visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia each year.  With casual visitors unable to enter the country in recent decades, international travelers are now exploring the kingdom to enjoy its long-hidden treasures. “Saudi Arabia offers both natural and historical wonders, from the mountain resorts of Taif and the majesty of ancient Nabatean tombs to the multicolored coral reefs of the Red Sea,” the Saudi embassy stated on its website (https://www.saudiembassy.net/sports-and-recreation). 

Before the kingdom began issuing leisure tourist visas in 2019, foreign visitors to Saudi Arabia were primarily religious pilgrims, businesspeople, or government officials.  The next five years brought more than 100 million travelers to Saudi Arabia. “The Kingdom's tourism sector has shown remarkable resilience, with inbound spending reaching over USD 37 billion in 2023 and a significant increase in hotel keys across the kingdom,” the UN’s World Tourism Agency stated (https://www.unwto.org/news/un-tourism-applauds-saudi-arabia-s-historic-milestone-of-100-million-tourist-arrivals#). “These achievements are a testament to Saudi Arabia's commitment to creating a prosperous and sustainable tourism sector.” Reform-minded Saudi rulers have prioritized global tourism and relaxed their country’s conservative culture, helping open their society to more foreigners.

France – the world’s top tourist destination – drew a record 100 million-plus travelers in 2023.  Some five million U.S. citizens visited that year, including visitors from American cities such as Raleigh.  Americans providing the largest share of international visitors to Paris at 12%.  France’s “classical European architecture, rich culture, internationally renowned wineries, and even pristine Mediterranean beaches offer something for everyone,” GoWithGuide stated. “The country is also home to a whopping 49 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including famous sites such as Mont-Saint-Michel, as well as many lesser known gems.” (https://gowithguide.com/blog/tourism-in-france-statistics-2023-all-you-need-to-know-5275)

European France (or Metropolitan France) is located in Western Europe, where it borders Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Spain, and Switzerland.  Its coast lies along the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, where it shares a maritime border with the United Kingdom.  However, the government of the French Republic also includes French Guiana in South America, the French West Indies in the Caribbean Sea, and various islands in the Indian and Pacific oceans.  Those islands, plus former French colonies such as Algiers, span almost 250,000 square miles and account for most of the world’s 310 million French speakers.