Would you rule out a country as a holiday destination based on its political system?

[Takoneko]

Just curious as to whether others have any “rules” about which countries they would or would not visit based on their politics?

I only ever visit democracies and would rule a destination out if it wasn’t at least in the “flawed democracy” category on the democracy index and wouldn’t want to even transit through an “authoritarian” country. In fact I’ve paid significantly more for flights to avoid giving money to airlines operating out of authoritarian countries.

For example, I’ve been to Taiwan and Hong Kong but would not go to mainland China or use a Chinese airline (and I probably wouldn’t go back to Hong Kong now), I also think Baku looks beautiful but would not go to Azerbaijan, would love to see the Pyramids and Valley of the Kings but won’t go to Egypt etc.

I don’t think l’ve ever noticed anyone else listing it as a consideration for a holiday destination on here. Am I unusual or are there lots of us who have a similar red line?

In some ways it’s a bit of an arbitrary line to draw, I don’t examine the origins of everything I buy and probably buy tons of things that are made in China but draw my line at going there. I’m not judging people who draw their line somewhere else… I was just wondering whether it’s an unusual criteria when choosing a holiday.

Yes, there are countries that just don't appeal to me because of the dominating religious system or because homosexuality is illegal.

But I also rule out many places because I don't like the heat... just as self-limiting but they're my personal criteria.

I try not to spend my holidays in oppressive regimes. I generally holiday in the EU as a result

I won’t fly with the Middle Eastern airlines and would rather than no holiday than go to the absolute shit hole Dubai

Ive had conversations with gay friends about Caribbean countries though.

When I went to Antigua, I had a conversation with our openly-gay barman about life there as a gay man, and whether he agreed with Europeans boycotting travel because of anti-LGBT laws

He was personally of the view that westerns spending money in their gay bars would probably have a bigger impact on the government changing the laws than any domestic campaign.

I think your red lines are stronger than mine but I have them too

mine are mostly Middle Eastern countries where women and immigrants don’t have equal rights. Also Russia. I’m not going to China anytime soon but I don’t think it’s on my no-go list.

it’s hard to draw a line though- there is bad shit going on almost everywhere. Like many US states have almost banned abortion

I tend to stick to the EU tbh!

if you only go to democracies then you’d probably rule out Cuba. Which is a shame because although I didn’t find it scenically that nice it was absolutely fascinating.

I refused to go to China for a work trip for this reason. Everyone thought I was a bit bonkers.

but I agree with you - there are loads of place so won’t visit for political reasons.

I won’t step foot in a country where women are written into law as lower class citizens, including anywhere that legally mandates or condones the concept of adult women needing a guardian. I won’t even take a flight connection I feel so strongly about it.

when weighing travel destinations we also find ourselves much more likely to decide on locations where women have free access to reproductive healthcare. It’s not going to relevant during our trip, but it feels uncomfortable funneling money into restrictive economies.

I won't visit countries which don't allow unmarried couples to share rooms officially for good reason! I'm pretty iffy on visiting the Middle East for women's rights reasons. I don't have blanket bans in my mind but I'm never going to choose them for my holidays

Dubai. I've zero interest in going there.

As some one in a same sex relationship 100%

I want to make sure that should something happen on holiday and for example I need hospital treatment that my wife would be appropriately treated as my next of kin

It's amazing how many travel agents etc will actively send you to places that actively are unsure for lgbt travellers, even when you raise it. Theres a lot of naivety

Yes - I would and I do

I wouldn't have visited the US when Trump was president and won't go if he gets reelected. I doubt they will notice.

No, I think you will find diversity of opinion amongst populations. No country is black and white, Dubai for example has changed it’s co-habitation laws, most likely in response to the expat population. I think thats a good thing. In many parts of the world progress is slow but it does happen.

I think it’s better to go and be a good ambassador of what western freedom looks like than not go at all. Silo’s don’t affect change.

Same. But one (American) friend won’t go anywhere near Florida at the moment because of their crazy right wing governor.

I think most “red” American states would be off my list. Would not want to close to lots of trump supporters.

The heat also features prominently in my criteria.

Absolutely yes have done this for years; I mainly avoid countries which are perpetrators of human rights abuses and where my tourism money and presence would financially and reputationally indirectly support the authorities in continuing these abuses (eg UAE, Saudi, Cuba, Tanzania, Tajikistan, China)

However I would spend my money in places where I am confident it’s going directly to local communities (eg an eco, ethical safari in Kenya, or tours in Egypt). These require a lot of research through. No country is perfect and there are many authoritarian places where communities can really be helped with tourism. Just as many authoritarian governments will boast of the number of western tourists they attract and use it to whitewash their sins on the international stage, or use the hard $$$ or €€€ to funds arms in countries with weak currency. Important to do your homework and be an ethical consumer in travel as with all things!

This is really interesting. Thanks everyone for your replies. It’s interesting to see that so many have a criteria in terms of politics or civil liberties but how the nuances differ.

My list of places I won't visit is mainly based on my (probably unfounded) fears that I'd say something and accidentally land myself in jail in authoritarian countries. Even if it's unlikely it wouldn't make for an enjoyable holiday.

Not because of their beiief system, because every country is doing something wrong. It’s believe it’s child abuse to give puberty blockers and surgery to children with mental health issues, but I stil visit America, Canada etc.

The only countries I won’t go to at all are those I fear I might lose the freedom to leave. So North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Gaza, some places in Africa.

My line is the death penalty.

Although my Dd is showing extreme promise at a sport and I am aware that if she ends up representing her country somewhere with the death penalty that I will be out there supporting her before you can say “hypocrite”.

I'd think about the specifics of a country, with regards to my personal safety but otherwise no. Have you considered the ordinary people and their businesses in your calculation and democratic countries that have taken unethical decisions? Most of them are doing so right now IMO, but that's a whole other subject

One thing I would draw attention to, is that personal actions generally almost always have zero effect. They are always self limiting. Collective action is where I think the action is, particularly when it is targeted directly at those most responsible or drawing the attention of the wider public to those actions.

Dubai

I've been to the US a few times and certainly don't endorse their political system.

But generally I wouldn't go anywhere where I can't walk around unaccompanied without being hassled.

Yes. Would never set foot in Dubai, for example. Or the Maldives after reading that a girl who was raped was sentenced to 100 lashes.

I am curious as to why China isn’t on your no-go list?

China is one of the most authoritarian regimes in the world and slips further and further down the rankings every year. It’s less democratic and more repressive than most of the Middle East (the exceptions are Afghanistan and Syria) and stands accused of an ongoing genocide against Uyghurs.

I was expecting people to say that they don’t consider politics at all but am really fascinated that you have a no-go list but that China wouldn’t be on it.