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Where is...? The most Googled travel questions of 2016

Australians are pretty decent when it comes to geography, especially when compared with our brothers and sisters across the Pacific Ocean. But according to Google, we still have much to learn...

Australians are pretty decent when it comes to geography, especially when compared with our brothers and sisters across the Pacific Ocean. But according to Google, we still have much to learn…

In fact, pretty embarrassingly, Australians in 2016 had to consult Google to answer some very basic geography questions, questions that you’d think would be common knowledge.

Of course, as Travel Agents, you guys already score highly on the geography knowledge scale, but the evidence is in and clearly many Australians need a little help.

Here are five of the most common “where is…?” queries put to Google last year.

 

1. Where is Brussels?

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Source: travelandleisure.com

It’s where that disgusting little vegetable is from, right? Well, yeah, but can you locate it on the map? [Australians scuttle away…]

Brussels is the capital of Belgium (a country famous for chocolate, waffles and beer) which is only a short train ride from Amsterdam. There are two main airports that serve the city: Brussels Airport (BRU) which is close to the city; and Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) which is further away.

 

2. Where is Bora Bora?

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Source: tahiti.com

Also known as paradise in some circles, many people (including Australians) don’t exactly know where Bora Bora is. Which is probably part of its appeal and why it’s so sought after.

But just so you know, Bora Bora is a small South Pacific island northwest of Tahiti in French Polynesia. To get there, you’ll need to fly with Air New Zealand or Air Tahiti Nui (and others) to French Polynesia’s Faa’a International Airport at Papeete on the main island of Tahiti, and then take another flight with Air Tahiti to Bora Bora Airport.

 

3. Where is Rio?

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Source: robbreport.com

Ah Rio… Even the name conjures to the mind bikini-wearing babes playing volleyball on the beach as a vendor wheels past a cart selling fresh coconut. Obviously, Rio is short for Rio de Janeiro (which is in Brazil), but it seems that many Australians failed to see the connection.

But not Travel Agents like yourselves. You guys have always known this, and you also know that Aussies need a visa to enter Brazil (unlike those Kiwis, who don’t – jealous). Interestingly, last year Brazil waived this visa requirement for Aussies (and other nationalities) during the Rio Olympics.

 

4. Where is Malta?

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Source: telegraph.co.uk

Okay, as someone of Maltese ancestry, I’ve heard about Malta all my life and so I’ve always known where it was. But I can understand why so few Australians do – it’s very, very small! It’s so small in fact that it’s not uncommon for many Europeans not to know where it is, even though it’s located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea and is part of the EU…

Oh, and just case you were wondering: No, Maltesers – those delicious chocolate malt balls – don’t come from Malta.

 

5. Where is Perth?

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Source: crazycruises.com.au

So remember at the beginning of this article when I hinted at Aussies not knowing answers to some pretty basic geography questions?

Well, check this out. During 2016, Perth was one of the most popular search terms to be put to Google. Crazy, I know, but apparently a lot of Australians don’t know that Perth is situated on our southwestern coast. Comes on guys!

Source: Escape

Come on, be honest: what destination did you have to Google in 2016? Let us know in the comments below.