We all have opinions on the most welcoming places in the world, but there is an actual study to gauge friendliness. World Economic Forum’s “Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report” ranked 140 countries according to attractiveness and competitiveness in the travel and tourism industry. Countries were ranked on a scale of 0-7 with 0 being “very unwelcome” and 7 being “very welcome.”

To be the friendliest, depended on”the factors and policies to make it attractive to develop the travel and tourism sector,” according to the report.  The countries that were ranked as unwelcoming had issues with security and safety, underdeveloped infrastructure, and concerns over stable development.

Europe was the top ranking region this year, where as The Middle East trended towards the unfriendly side of the list as did Central and South America.

We’ve highlighted 10 of the most surprising high and low ranking countries. Their “Attitude of Population Toward Foreign Visitors,” is how we narrowed them down.  Keep reading to see where Rwanda, Morocco, Bosnia, Venezuela, Iran, Indonesia, Trinidad & Tobago, Australia and China fall as well as the tips and customs you’ll need to navigate these regions.

1. Iceland

Coming in at #1 on the report is Iceland. Iceland offers long summer days and short nights that make it very popular for tourism during those months. Iceland can be one of the most beautiful and inspiring trips of a lifetime. However be sure to pack smartly as everyday attire won’t survive against the rough walking terrain and intense wind the climate has in store.

Iceland also has a national holiday called “Beer Day” on March 1, when  it is common to do a large bar crawl until 4am to celebrate the most popular alcoholic beverage in the country.

3. Morocco

Morocco is world famous for its beaches, bazaars, and town squares. While in Morocco there are a few personal taboos to be aware of, such as never eating food with your left hand as this is to be reserved for personal hygiene, no eating or drinking in public during Ramadan, and not wearing revealing clothing.

140. Venezuela

Coming in at last place this year is Venezuela. With slums, poverty, violence, and a murder rate 20 times that of the US; Venezuela is defined by political unrest. With the recent death of President Chavez, only time will tell if the life in Venezuela will improve for its residents and visitors.

8. Bosnia & Herzegovina

Once considered a dangerous place to travel Bosnia is now topping the list of friendliest places in the world. Ancient cultures, stunning terrain, and beautiful cities are just a few of the reasons to check out this destination. There’s also skiing, hiking and rafting.

Bosnian people tend to socialize over coffee, so hit the cafes when looking for new friends!

21. Rwanda

Despite the lingering horrors of the genocide of 1994, Rwanda has opened its doors to tourism and is fast becoming a navigable place to travel. Home of the magical mountain gorillas, you can witness these gentle giants in an untouched environment.

135. Islamic Republic of Iran

It’s no surprise that political unrest makes it very difficult for travelers. The US and the UK advise against all travel to Iran. If you are interested in going to Iran, hiring a guide is absolutely necessary to get around the country safely and efficiently.

114. Indonesia

credit Anna David

With around 17,000 islands and more than 300 languages, Indonesia is an expansive island paradise. Hot and humid year round it is a mostly safe country, but be smart and exercise common sense especially at night. It’s the world’s fourth most populated country and continuously growing.

Despite the soaring temperatures and humidity Indonesia, the dress there is quite conservative. Unless you’re in a tourist zone, modest is the way to go. Loose comfortable clothing is a good way to not offend the locals.

126. Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago are two very different places to visit. Trinidad has a minimal tourism business (outside Carnival) and is the workhorse counterpart to the laid-back retreat that is Tobago. The countries don’t always focus on tourism, which makes travel difficult to navigate. Trinidad and Tobago’s people are very friendly and many are likely invite you to join them at a party, dinner, or social gathering. Exercise common sense but for the most part, go!

27. Australia

Credit Wikimedia User Kat Clay from Sydney, Australia

One of the most urbanized countries in the world Australia also has incredible coastlines with more than 7,000 beaches.

When visiting Australia one will notice that even though they speak English, they’ve definitely got a language all their own. Aussies have a tendency to shorten and change a ton of vocabulary so when you’re there keep an ear out, mate!

130. China

The world’s oldest continuous population has an amazing wealth of historic sites: The Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, and the Great Wall are just a few must dos on a trip. Getting around the country’s more touristed areas is generally easy, but it always helps to have names and addresses written in Chinese characters to point your taxi driver in the right direction.

By Laura Lee Jurgens