... and the company providing survey data largely credits this to 'The Obama Effect':The Country Brand Index, compiled by brand consultancy FutureBrand, found the United States had unseated Australia, which held the top spot for the past three years. Australia came in third this year with Canada rising to second place.
I have no doubt that Barack Obama is working to improve relations with other countries -- and thus helping the 'branding' of the United States. That was indeed one of his campaign platforms. However, I think that it entirely too early to tell what economic effect, if any, he will have on the travel and tourism industries.
New Zealand and France rounded up the top five country brands in this year's index that included 102 countries.
"The Obama effect has seen the United States earn the coveted top spot for the first time in the fifth annual index," FutureBrand, which is part of Interpublic Group of Companies, said in a statement.
"The revitalization of Brand USA, and other factors, have resulted in the effect on Australia's ranking. It highlights the importance of keeping a country brand fresh, relevant and engaging in a highly competitive international marketplace," added Tim Riches, CEO FutureBrand Singapore.
The index is based on a survey of about 3,000 business and leisure travelers from nine countries.
In addition to branding countries, it also identifies global trends in travel and tourism, which the statement said was the world's fastest growing economic sector.
The United States was seen as the ideal place for business, one of the top places for families, shopping and quality products, as well as one of the countries people wanted to visit whether for the first time or again.
Also, only nine countries were surveyed? Does that number seem a bit low to anyone else?
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The Pajama Pundit - Founder/Editor
