Tuvalu is the world’s least visited country and welcomes only about 3,136 tourists annually, according to the Tuvalu Central Statistics Division.
For those who choose to travel to the island nation, one of the biggest challenges is the lack of cash machines.
Tourists have to remember to bring enough Australian dollars to cover their entire stay as credit and debit cards are not accepted in most places including restaurants, cafes, and hotels.
Tuvalu is a small island nation in the Pacific, home to just 11,000 people, and it’s the world’s smallest sovereign state by population.
While Vatican City has fewer residents, it is not a member of the United Nations. Tuvalu also ranks as the third smallest country by land area, following Monaco and Nauru.
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Despite its remote location, Tuvalu has an interesting source of income through its internet domain “.tv.”
The country negotiated a $50 million (£38 million) deal for the rights to its domain in 2000, helping it afford membership in the UN and finance important infrastructure, including electricity on its outer islands.
Tuvalu renewed this lease in 2012 earning further income to support its economy.
However, Tuvalu faces an existential threat from climate change. With a mean elevation of just two metres, the islands are at risk of being swallowed by rising sea levels.
Coastal erosion has already begun affecting two of the country’s nine islands, leading to discussions about relocating the population to nearby nations like New Zealand or Fiji.
Tuvalu’s economy is among the smallest in the world, with a GDP of just £34.6 million ($42 million).
Much of its income comes from selling fishing licences and leasing its “.tv” domain to tech companies like Twitch.
Historically, Tuvalu was first visited by European explorers in the 16th century, becoming part of the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands in 1892.
The nation gained independence from Britain in 1978, with the name Tuvalu meaning “eight standing together.” This is a reference to the country’s eight originally inhabited islands.
Without a standing army, Tuvalu is also one of 22 nations worldwide to maintain a peaceful, defence-free stance.
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