Are you looking for a heavenly destination and away from mass tourism? Well Tuvalu, or Tuvalú, can be a great choice. It is the second independent nation with the fewest inhabitants in the world (the first is the Vatican City) and one of the most unknown places. In fact, it is considered the least visited country in the world. We are not saying it, but a report prepared by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) of the UN.
Despite being the least visited country, Tuvalu has a warm climate, beaches spectacular, an excellent cultural offer and delicious gastronomy. We tell you more details about this destination and about the surprising data in the report below!
In 2016 it received 2,000 tourists
As the UNWTO report indicates, in 2016 Tuvalu, which has about 12,000 inhabitants, was visited by 2,000 tourists. Do they seem few to you? Well, it has doubled the visits it had in 2010. Yes! Yes! As you are reading it! For those who do not know Tuvalu, that is, the vast majority, it is a group of islands located in the South Pacific, between Hawaii and Australia. It is one of the four countries that make up the Polynesia and one of the fourteen from Oceania.
The attractions of Tuvalu
Tuvalu is made up of four coral reefs and five atolls which, as you know, are small ring-shaped coral islands. This heavenly destination is home to numerous species of fish, corals, invertebrates, and algae. Without a doubt, the reefs and their spectacular beaches are among the main attractions of Tuvalu. The Funati Conservation Area deserves a special mention, 33 square kilometers of reefs, channels, lagoons and the ocean. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Tuvalu, you should rent a boat to explore its crystal clear waters.
We should also talk about the archipelago's cultural wealth, and more specifically about its music, its traditional dances with flowers and multicolored skirts, and its organization unique social: each family has its own task to carry out for the community: fishing, housing construction, defense ... In addition, we must highlight the hospitality and friendliness of the inhabitants.
Only one company travels to Tuvalu
One of the main obstacles that tourists encounter when traveling to Tuvalu is that only one airline, Air Fiji, operates up to the country, so you can imagine that the cost is not very cheap. In fact, with a stopover in Suva (Fiji), the price of the flight can reach 6,000 euros. Furthermore, only two planes arrive in Tuvalu a week. As you can imagine, given its small size, it does not have a very large offer of accommodation. Of course, the simple rooms that can be found in the few hotels in the place are suitable for resting.
The serious effects of climate change
It is important to note that this independent nation has become a place of study for the effects of climate change, as sea levels have risen sharply in recent decades. In fact, the UN considers that this group of islands could disappear in the ocean this century. Due to this progressive rise in sea level, the continuous typhoons and the fact that the sea waters are progressively salinizing crops, it is irremediable that the archipelago ends up flooded.
As a member of the United Nations, Tuvalu has requested help to survive the catastrophe. Therefore, attempts are being made to relocate its population. In this regard, it is important to note that although New Zealand has agreed to receive 75 evacuees a year, Australia has rejected requests from this independent nation.
Traveling to the Least Visited Country in the World (April 2024)
- Polynesia, Tuvalu
- 1,230
