Canada has world's friendliest folk

It turns out that the world thinks Canadians are friendlier than affable Australians - in fact, a recent poll revealed Canucks are the most simpatico folks anywhere for three quarters running. That's according to Simon Anholt and his influential Anholt Nation Brands Index. Canada trumped Australia (No. 2), with Spain, New Zealand and Italy coming in at third, fourth and fifth places respectively.

Anholt Nation Brands Index placed Canada No. 1 for its people. Overall, Canada came in No. 3 worldwide (after the UK and Germany) in the index, a broad measurement based on 40 questions covering culture and heritage, people, tourism, immigration and investments, exports and governance. "The score for peoples' desire to 'live and work' in Canada has risen by nearly 6% since the Index was launched (in 2005), showing that in real terms, Canada has become more 'magnetic,' " Simon Anholt says.

Anholt Nation Brands Index announced the rankings in its Q1 2007 special report on May 31. The Anholt Nation Brands Index is an analytical ranking of the world's nation brands. Each quarter, the index - created by Simon Anholt and operated by Seattle, WA (USA)-based GMI - surveys 26,000 consumers in 35 countries. The company asks consumers about their perceptions of the cultural, political, commercial and human assets, investment potential and tourist appeal of each nation. This adds up to a measurement of national brand power and barometer of global opinion.

Index subscribers include national governments, tourist boards, cultural institutes and ministries, multinational corporations, chambers of commerce, academic and non-profit organizations. Anholt is an independent policy advisor to 17 governments, including the UK, Iceland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Botswana, Jamaica, Sweden and Germany.

"For the question - 'If money were no object, which country would you be most likely to visit?' - Canada comes in second in the world after Australia," Anholt says.

"Our research tells us that everyone wants a Canadian friend, so it's wonderful to have a global brand expert such as Simon Anholt underline that fact," says Michele McKenzie, CTC president and CEO. "Our brand, Canada, shows the world we are a nation full of people, culture, colour, tradition and heritage. Everyone likes Canadians, so why not showcase Canadians?"

Find out more at Nationbrandindex.com.