Travel anxiety often has less to do with jet lag and lost luggage than with a quieter worry: will people actually be glad you’re there? For American travelers in particular, that question carries extra weight given shifting global opinions of the United States. Yet plenty of destinations continue to roll out a genuinely warm welcome, backed by favorability surveys, tourism data, and countless traveler accounts from the past couple of years.
The following ten countries stand out not just for scenery or affordability, but for something harder to fake: a real, measurable enthusiasm for American visitors. Some of that warmth is rooted in shared history, some in economic ties, and some simply in culture. Either way, these are places where a U.S. passport tends to open doors rather than close them.
1. Ireland
Ireland shows up on almost every list of countries that adore American visitors, and the numbers back up the reputation. By May 2024, American tourists accounted for roughly one in five of all foreign visitors to Ireland, a staggering share for a single source country that speaks to the depth of the relationship. US and Canadian tourists spent six billion euros in Ireland during 2024, while making up one-quarter of the six million people who traveled to the country.
Part of this comes down to ancestry. Countries that have strong heritage ties to the United States also tend to be more welcoming toward American tourists, and Irish Americans number 33.5 million according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. The Irish have always maintained a special connection with Americans, largely rooted in shared history, and that sense of kinship translates into something tangible on the ground, not just politeness, but real conversation.
2. Italy
Italy consistently tops European friendliness surveys when it comes to American tourists, and the sentiment runs surprisingly deep. Just two percent of Italians said their country is unwelcoming to Americans, a remarkably low number reflecting how Italians adore the curiosity of American tourists exploring Italian culture, along with a historical connection rooted in gratitude for America’s role at the end of World War II.
That warmth isn’t just anecdotal. Italy is among the top ten American-friendly European countries, with roughly three in five Italians holding a favorable view of Americans. Booking.com’s most recent Traveler Review Awards reinforce the pattern on a broader scale, since Italy won the most hospitality awards for the ninth year in a row, ahead of France, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom. From Rome’s animated street conversations to Venice’s patient locals, the country treats tourists less like outsiders and more like guests worth impressing.
3. Poland
Poland might be the most surprising entry on this list, yet it may also be the most enthusiastic. The two most pro-American countries in the world are Poland and Israel, with 93% and 87% of survey participants holding favorable views of the U.S., respectively, according to Pew, the highest percentages recorded for those countries since the survey began.
Beyond the numbers, visitors often comment on the personal touch. Poles are perceived as very friendly, open-minded, and supportive, and what often amazes Americans is the level of general knowledge that the average Polish person has. The country’s tourism sector reflects that growing appeal too, since in 2025, nearly 59 million tourists stayed in Polish accommodation facilities, with foreign arrivals reaching 15.2 million, making Poland one of the fastest-growing destinations in Europe.
4. Vietnam
Given the complicated shared history between the two nations, Vietnam’s warmth toward American travelers often catches visitors off guard. Vietnam welcomes American visitors with incredible warmth despite the complicated shared history, with younger generations focusing on the future and eager to practice English and learn about American culture.
Survey data backs up the anecdotal warmth. There is strong support for American tourists in Vietnam, with roughly eight in ten of those surveyed by Pew Research positively inclined toward Americans. The Vietnamese are described as incredibly forgiving and welcoming, making this Southeast Asian destination one of the most American-friendly places on earth. Locals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City often treat curiosity about the past as an opening for connection rather than tension.
5. The Philippines
Few countries greet Americans with quite the same open-arms enthusiasm as the Philippines. Filipinos show strong favorable views of Americans, with historical ties and shared democratic values creating lasting bonds between the two nations. Filipinos are known to greet visitors by saying “Feel at home!” to ensure that guests enjoy their stay, hospitality being something of a trademark.
Language plays a role too, since English has always been one of the official languages of the Philippines and is spoken by more than 14 million Filipinos. Locals invite strangers to family gatherings, offer rides, and provide endless recommendations for hidden beaches and restaurants, creating travel experiences that feel more like visiting friends than being a tourist.
6. Japan
Japan’s hospitality culture extends to every visitor, but Americans often notice something extra. Japanese hospitality, known as “omotenashi,” extends exceptional service to all visitors, but Americans often find themselves the subject of genuine curiosity and warmth from locals eager to practice English and learn about American life.
That fascination shows up in tourism data as well. The United States remained the only non-Asian country in the top five source markets for Japan, and Japan’s fascination with American culture creates a unique dynamic where American visitors are often treated with special interest and respect. Whether it’s a shopkeeper in Kyoto or a train conductor in Tokyo, the courtesy tends to feel personal rather than routine.
7. Portugal
Portugal has quietly become one of Europe’s favorite destinations for American travelers, and locals seem genuinely pleased about it. Portugal consistently ranks as one of the most welcoming countries in the world, with locals known for their kindness and willingness to help, especially in cities like Lisbon and Porto, where a relaxed pace of life and strong tourism infrastructure make Americans often feel at home.
The surge of American interest has been swift. Portugal is a top choice for American travelers, welcoming over a million U.S. visitors in just the first half of the year. Unlike destinations that can feel strained by overtourism, Portugal has managed to keep its welcome feeling personal even as arrival numbers climb.
8. Mexico
Proximity and decades of cultural exchange have made Mexico one of the most consistently welcoming countries for American travelers. Mexico’s proximity to the United States means locals are very familiar with American culture and visitors, and families take pride in sharing their traditions, with warmth extending far beyond tourist areas into small villages and hidden beaches.
That familiarity runs both directions. Many Mexicans have worked in or visited the States, creating natural connections with American travelers. Favorable views of the U.S. run strong in Mexico as well, with 63% of respondents holding a positive opinion. Add in the country’s affordability and variety, from colonial Oaxaca to beach towns like Puerto Vallarta, and it’s easy to see why Mexico remains a top pick.
9. South Korea
South Korea’s blend of hospitality culture and genuine curiosity about American visitors has made it an increasingly popular stop for U.S. travelers. South Korea follows Poland and Israel in Pew’s survey, with a 79% favorable view of the U.S.
Beyond the statistics, travelers often describe a country eager to share its culture, from street food markets to palace tours, with visitors from the United States. The favorability numbers suggest this isn’t just tourism-board messaging but a broadly shared sentiment among the public, one reinforced by decades of close diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.
10. Colombia
Colombia’s tourism turnaround over the past decade has been remarkable, and much of it has been built around welcoming international, especially American, visitors. Colombia has experienced a massive tourism revival in the last decade, with cities like Medellín and Cartagena becoming top destinations for Americans, as the country has invested in safety, tourism, and cultural exchange programs to reframe its global image.
That investment shows up in how visitors describe their experience on the ground, with locals in both cities frequently going out of their way to offer directions, recommendations, and conversation. The shift from Colombia’s difficult past reputation to its current standing as a warm, increasingly popular destination reflects a deliberate and largely successful effort to change perceptions, one that American travelers have clearly noticed.
None of these rankings are absolute, since friendliness is ultimately shaped by individual moments, a helpful stranger, a shared meal, a good conversation in broken English, rather than by survey data alone. Still, when historical ties, favorability polling, and tourism growth all point in the same direction, it’s worth paying attention. These ten countries offer more than pretty landscapes; they offer the kind of welcome that turns a trip into a genuine connection.
