Canada has beat out the United States as the most respected country brand in the world, according to a report released Friday by the Canadian Tourism Commission.

 

A big reason why the U.S.’s neighbors to the north were so popular this year was largely due to the incredible $26-million Vancouver Winter Olympics ad campaign held earlier this year.

 

New York-based research and branding consultancy firm FutureBrand reported their annual Country Brand Index results, which included a survey of over 3,000 international business and leisure travelers.

 

Canada was second place in last year’s results, with the United States in the top spot thanks in large part to the Obama effect.

 

Commenting on the top ranking, chief executive of Canadian Tourism Commission, Michele McKenzie, said: “Several
years ago, CTC set out to refresh Canada’s tourism brand in
anticipation of being on the world stage in 2010. We believed that, with the right strategy, a legacy of the
Games could be more interest in Canada as a travel destination, and
ultimately more visitors.”