Far from the Maddening Crowds

If you enjoy travel, but hate the crowds at the world’s most popular places, here’s a look at the 10 least-visited realms around the world. You may find the food just as delicious, but less expensive. The beaches may be more tranquil without the mob scene. And you likely will get a better deal on your hotel room.

To figure out which destinations can best give you that off-the-beaten-path experience, we took a long look at the annual United Nations World Tourism Organization’s “Tourism Highlights” for 2017. Statistics in the report are from 2016.

The UN did not have data for every country in the world, but from the reports they did have, these are the least visited countries around the globe.

Tuvalu (2,000 visitors) –Tuvalu turned out to have the absolute least number of visitors – just 2,000. The fourth smallest country in the world, the Polynesian island nation is located in the South Pacific and has a total land area of just 10 square miles. Part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Commonwealth realm, Tuvalu doesn’t have much to do outside of beach activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming and sunning. Traditional culture has been kept quite alive here, with traditional dances being performed on special occasions, particularly at town halls.

Kiribati (5,000 visitors) – The former British colony of Kiribati is a central Pacific island nation that saw just 5,000 visitors in 2016. Its beaches are pretty untouched and stunning to see, perfect for boating and yachting. Some of the islands have prominent World War II sights, having been the site of some intense fighting, and guided tours are available to see and learn about the shipwrecks and the remains of tanks, planes and amtracs. Phoenix Islands Protected Area, one of the largest marine protected areas in the world, is also located in Kiribati. There you can discover coral reefs and hundreds of species of fish.

Niue (8,000 visitors) – Niue is one of the world’s largest coral islands, with a land area of about 101 square miles. Just 8,000 people visited the country in 2016, which is impressive considering its population that year was approximately 1,600. The South Pacific island nation, located 1,500 miles northeast of New Zealand, is surrounded by a coral reef and has limestone cliffs and caves along its coast. A tropical rainforest takes up approximately 20 percent of the land area and is full of gorgeous and diverse flora and fauna. Cycling, diving, fishing, golf, kayaking and snorkeling are popular tourist activities on the island.

Montserrat (9,000 visitors) – Montserrat is a British territory in the Caribbean, measuring approximately 10 miles in length and 7 miles in width and with just 25 miles of coastline. It looks like coastal Ireland and, in fact, many Montserratians have Irish ancestry. It has been referred to as “The Emerald Isle of the Caribbean.” Montserrat was once a popular vacation spot before 1989 when Hurricane Hugo hit the island, damaging over 90 percent of its structures. In 1995, the island took another hit when the Soufrière Hills volcano erupted, burying its capital in ash and mud and forcing evacuations as well as airport and seaport closings. The island is still quite beautiful, however, and 9,000 visitors came in 2016 to enjoy its tropical forests and quiet, secluded beaches.

Marshall Islands (10,000 visitors) – Situated halfway between Hawaii and Australia, the Marshall Islands is a Pacific island nation right near the equator. The tropical climate is hot and humid. A mere 10,000 visitors made it to the country, which has suffered from flooding due to climate change as well as pollution. For a more tropical island experience, venture out to one of the outer islands.

American Samoa (20,000 visitors) – An unincorporated U.S. territory, American Samoa is another South Pacific destination, made up of five islands and two coral atolls. With an area of just under 77 square miles, it’s only slightly larger than Washington, D.C. Just 20,000 visitors came to American Samoa, which has wonderful beaches and beautiful coral reefs perfect for snorkeling, as well as a rainforest where you can go hiking in the mountains near the capital of Pago Pago.

Solomon Islands (22,000 visitors) – Located in the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Islands saw only 22,000 visitors. Part of the Coral Triangle, it’s a prime destination for scuba diving, which has a significant part to play in the country’s tourism industry. A lack of infrastructure has held back growth in the industry, however, and caution is advised to tourists, particularly after dark.

Micronesia (24,000 visitors) – Officially known as the Federated States of Micronesia, Micronesia has four states made up of about 607 islands located in the western Pacific Ocean, just north of the equator. Just 24,000 people visited the country, likely due to the heavy rainfall that occurs all year but particularly from June to December when typhoons pose a particular threat. Diving and swimming are popular endeavors here, and the traditional culture of the islands is also a big draw. From 1947 until 1994, its government was administered by the United States, which continues to be responsible for Micronesia’s defense; as a result, the local currency is the U.S. dollar and U.S. citizens may live and work freely there.

Sierra Leone (54,000 visitors) – Tourism in the West African country of Sierra Leone has suffered as a result of the civil war that lasted from 1991 to 2002 as well as an Ebola outbreak that lasted from 2014 to 2016. Just 54,000 visitors came to visit the country, which has just one international airport. As a result, the country has a largely unrealized potential for tourism, with fantastic beaches and an interesting colonial heritage. A Muslim-majority nation with a significant Christian minority, it’s also considered to be one of the most religiously tolerant countries in the world. Locals are known to be very welcoming of foreigners, with most of them speaking English.

San Marino (60,000 visitors) – Claiming to be the oldest sovereign state in existence as well as the oldest constitutional republic, San Marino is a landlocked microstate within north-central Italy. Just over 24 square miles and with a population of just over 33,000, San Marino received approximately 60,000 visitors in 2016. Its biggest attractions include the medieval town hall, the Cathedral of San Marino and the Three Towers of San Marino, depicted on the country’s flag and coat of arms.