Which country did you name the greatest on Earth?

This is your favourite country on Earth - Title_Theeradaj (Title_Theeradaj (Photographer) - [None]
This is your favourite country on Earth - Title_Theeradaj (Title_Theeradaj (Photographer) - [None]

The greatest country on Earth? According to the tens of thousands of readers who voted in the 2018 Telegraph Travel Awards, it’s a reassuringly familiar place, where sheep graze on rolling green hills, folk gather to watch cricket and rugby, and Victorian cathedrals pierce the skyline.

For the sixth year on the bounce, this nation pipped the likes of South Africa, Japan and the Maldives. Not for you Big Five safaris, ancient temples or beautiful coral reefs.

That’s not to say this country is without wonders. There are hot springs and spectacular Alpine scenery, you can bungee jump, see penguins, and marvel at fjords.

Indeed, the combination of familiarity and escapism may explain the appeal; you could hardly be further from Britain, yet it feels like a home from home – just that little bit warmer.

Have you guessed it yet? 

Yes, you voted New Zealand as your favourite country once again, an honour it has held since 2012.

There was movement elsewhere in the top 10, however. South Africa rose one place to second, swapping places with the Maldives; Botswana leapt four places to fifth, bumping Burma (Myanmar) down one spot; Tanzania climbed four places to seventh; Kenya stormed up the table from 21st to 10th.

Your favourite country in all its glory - Credit: GETTY
Your favourite country in all its glory Credit: GETTY

Telegraph readers love Africa

The rise of Tanzania and Kenya means that half of your 10 favourite countries are on the African continent. It seems safaris are the holidays you remember most fondly – no wonder David Attenborough’s new series, Dynasties, has enthralled the nation.

Why so few European countries?

The absence from the top 50 of both France, the world’s most visited country, and Spain, the country visited most often by Britons, is peculiar. Perhaps we take our neighbours for granted.

For the sixth consecutive year you named Italy your favourite European country, despite a small drop from 10th to 13th. Its closest rivals are Iceland (18th overall) and Greece (21st).

The biggest risers

Two countries rose an impressive 25 places in this year’s poll. Zimbabwe (54th overall), known for its spectacular wildlife, and Pakistan (78th), a country of soaring Himalayan peaks that attracts just a handful of British travellers.

Jordan, which welcomed new easyJet flights last month, flew up the table from 54th to 37th. Finland rose 15 places to 61st; Argentina jumped 12 places to 34th.

2018 v 2017

  • Zimbabwe - 54th (+25 places)

  • Pakistan - 78th (+25)

  • Jordan - 37th (+17)

  • Finland - 61st (+15)

  • Argentina - 34th (+12)

  • Kenya - 10th (+11)

  • Papua New Guinea - 81st (+11)

  • Ukraine - 83rd (+11)

  • The Gambia - 75th (+10)

  • Oman - 40th (+8)

  • Estonia - 69th (+8)

  • Bolivia - 73rd (+8)

  • Greece - 21st (+7)

  • Zambia - 33rd (+7)

  • Morocco - 67th (+7)

Looking further back, to the 2015/16 awards, Lebanon is the biggest climber, rising 36 places in just two years.

2018 v 2015/16

  • Lebanon - 42nd (+36 places)

  • Zimbabwe - 54th (+25)

  • Morocco - 67th (+23)

  • Kenya - 10th (+17)

  • Argentina - 34th (+17)

  • The Gambia - 75th (+14)

  • Ukraine - 83rd (+14)

Zimbabwe is on the rise - Credit: GETTY
Zimbabwe is on the rise Credit: GETTY

The biggest fallers

A clutch of countries fell from favour this year, but the United States has witness perhaps the most dramatic drop. Back in 2011 you voted it the world’s best country – the last year New Zealand failed to scoop the prize. By 2014 it had fallen to 10th, last year it came 18th, and this year it dropped four more places to 22nd.

2018 v 2017

  • China - 86th (-13 places)

  • Czech Republic - 84th (-12)

  • Dominican Republic - 87th (-12)

  • Malaysia - 55th (-10)

  • Fiji - 45th (-9)

  • Jamaica - 68th (-9)

  • Hungary - 74th (-9)

  • Poland - 80th (-9)

  • Romania - 97th (-9)

China slipped 13 places - Credit: GETTY
China slipped 13 places Credit: GETTY

And what of the UK?

Our readers love their UK holidays – just not as much as trips to Thailand and Barbados. The UK came 76th in the poll, down from 68th last year (but still ahead of Germany in 90th).

Where will you be going in 2019?

The US might is slipping down the rankings, but it’s still firmly ensconced on your travel wishlists. Our poll found that a remarkable 18 per cent of you are planning to visit the country in the next two years, making it the most in-demand destination to feature.

The summer favourites of Italy, Spain, France and Greece completed the top five.

  1. USA - 18% planning a trip

  2. Italy - 16%

  3. Spain - 15%

  4. France - 15%

  5. Greece - 13%

  6. Australia - 11%

  7. Croatia - 8%

  8. Canada - 8%

  9. UK - 8%

  10. Portugal - 7%

  11. South Africa - 6%

  12. India - 6%

  13. New Zealand - 5%

  14. Japan - 5%

  15. Maldives - 4%

  16. Barbados - 4%

  17. Iceland - 4%

  18. Germany - 4%

  19. Thailand - 4%

  20. Austria - 4%