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IRELAND REMAINS among the friendliest and most welcoming countries in the world for foreign visitors, according to major new global research.
A study by the World Economic Forum (WEF) has found that Ireland ranks 9th on a global list of the attitude of its native population to visitors.
On a scale of 1 to 7, where 7 is ‘very welcome’, a survey commissioned by the WEF found that the average Irish response gave a response of 6.6 when asked about their attitude to foreign visitors.
Though most countries offered an average response of 6.0 or higher, Ireland’s relatively high proportion of high responses means it is behind only eight other countries – and only four other European nations – in the warmth of its welcome.
Iceland was the most welcoming country, with an average response of 6.8, marginally ahead of New Zealand.
Bolivia ranked at the bottom, with a score of only 4.1, with Venezuela scoring 4.5 and Russia coming third-from-last at 5.0.
Aggregating scores across a wide variety of factors – including the strength of the cultural sphere, transport links, accommodation and accessibility – Ireland ranks 19th in the world, with a total average score of 5.01 out of 7.
While Ireland performs highly in terms of the education of its public, and its tourism infrastructure, its score falls back on cultural resources, price competitiveness and natural resources – though the later score is based on inflexible scores like the number of total known unique species and biome protection.
Switzerland tops the poll, with a score of 5.66, ahead of Germany and Austria on 5.39, and Spain and the UK on 5.38.
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Not surprised. To date the s3 is the best phone out there. Android allows far more function then iOS.
I’m sure the iPhone 5 will prove a fast seller but they really have to up their game it’s so competitive now.
One thing I love about android is an app for torrents so you can download them right to your handset without having to convert and use the horrible iTunes.
I use an iPhone right now but I’m afraid they are losing a customer
Check out itransmission
the HTC one X is a great phone aswell.
Ima stick with my HTC evo3d for another while though, mwakious Rom is savage on it.
iPhone is a grand phone and anyone would be stupid to say otherwise, personal choice though, I would go android over apple any day of the week.
The best thing about Apple is their marketing department. FACT!!! Have the iPhone but can’t wait til my contract’s up to switch to S3.
Wait until the new Iphone comes out….
Everybody wants the new Iphone.. The Samsung is a great phone but will always be second best.
Brand loyalty much?
I just saw my brothers S3. Absolutely incredible. I have both a Galaxy Nexus and iPhone 4S and it beats them both hands down. The screen beats any retina display. Apple will have to perform a miracle to beat it with the iPhone 5.
“everybody wants the new iPhone” ……..rollseyes
And why is that exactly?
iphone most delicate piece of technology ever. 6 drops 6 broken screens.
That’s a bit careless of you! Hardly the phones fault you can’t hold on to it!
@ Michael, I have the iPhone 4 and have dropped it so many times and hopped it off Tarmac while running and never once has the screen cracked. And it’s still going strong.
people expect a certain amout of durability from any appliance they buy . iphones are like carrying an egg inn your hand . 1 drop 1 break.
samsung and android far superior and yes the bounce and dont break .
Mine has been dropped loads and no screen cracks on mine!! I think I’d blame myself for dropping it tho if it did crack!!
Apple buy most of their components from ….. Wait for it …..
Yes ….Samsung!
News of the day tony!
I heard you might even be able to make calls on the new I phone..
Find the iPhone boring as hell. When the 5 does come out i imagine it will only be on par with the S3 spec wise.
I love my Galaxy S3…
sent from my iphone
Love my S3!
more like on par with the s1
You cannott compare the two.
It is like comparing a Fiat with a Mercedes.
The Apple iPhone’s physical design is far superior.
Let’s look at these figures again when iPhone 5 is released later this year.
At the end though it is down to a personal preference.
please explain
Samsung all the way. I hate iphones for many reasons. . I’ll always be an android chick!
leave apple alone all you haters, they are the best at spinning old technology and making it look like they invented it :D rejecting a call with a text, i could do that on a nokia years ago!
samsung all the way!
yes I cringed when I seen this listed on the changelog for the new IOS…..wtf???
I couldn’t believe what i was hearing! The annoying part is how they try to make it sound new and how great they are for thinking of it.
like that time Apple invented video calling for the IPhone 4
exactly, they’re great for the oul “inventing”
A good cover will prevent screen breakage !! Doh
The fact that you actually need a cover illustrates what poor design it is. And yes folks, there are more aspects to a successful design than just aesthetics.
Android rules. Apple iPhone’s day is gone. RiP iPhone, iPad, iTouch…!!!
Being popular eventually works against you.
Sent from my Galaxy S2 (a life changing device).
Samsung all the way had the Galaxy S now the gorgeous S3 and i shouldn’t love a device this much but i do…
Why compare sales of one phone vs sales of a bunch of Samsung phones? Makes no sense…
They’re not. Apples range versus Samsung range, Apple just have a small range.
While I’m sure all the hype about the Galaxy is true, shouldn’t mean I should ditch my iPhone because it’s now as good.
I can say that the last 4 iPhones have treated me very well, with no problems with WiFi, call signal or anything. I would stay with iPhone because it works for me.
I would feel that it would only be hassle for me to change brands, losing all messages, notes, contacts, emails etc. I don’t really have the time to be moving 4 years worth of info from phone to phone too.
I won’t change because I don’t need to, and when I do change it will be to the latest iPhone, and it will be on free upgrade like its always been.
Have fun with your Samsungs, glad you are happy with your phone.
Peace out.
That’s fair enough. The whole apple v android is kind of annoying.
I like plug and play and also messing about with kernels and roms so obviously I like android. You yourself likes something that works grand out of the box but isn’t really plug and play unless every computer you use has iTunes. That’s hairy muff. Different strokes for different folks.
Liked the iPhone for the 3 years I had it but the difference now I’ve taken the plunge to change to the Galaxy S3 is phenomenal. As a big music and movies fan, the most immediate delight was to get rid of iTunes, a horrid, horrid system and now to just be able to drop and drag all music and movies as I want and also a nice expandable memory to store it all.
The larger screen is awesome, it’s ultra easy to use and organise and I don’t think I’m imagining the battery life is better but I’m open to correction on that.
If you get a chance to make the change, I fully recommend such a change for the above reasons and more. I just love this S3!
where do u drop movies and music from and to on the phone? I have an s3 but am getting as much use from it as I did my Nokia 5110. cheers in advance.
Into any folder on the phone. The media player will pick them up. I have a torrent client on my phone so I can download videos on the go.
Yes indeed, it’s as simple as connecting to the PC and then dragging and dropping the files you want from the PC/connected hard drive to the other. And as already stated there the player automatically picks them up. I believe there is also a sync option if you have, for example, all your music contained in a library such as windows media player.
I am using a nice 64GB memory card to store all the movies and music and I’d recommend something like that if you’ve an extensive collection. Once you get going you’ll never look back! Good luck, hope that’s of some help…
Samsung all the way. I love that they are so easy to root compared to HTC Desire which was my last phone. I had an iPhone 3S before that but I hated it, only a Motorola I had years ago would beat it to the title of worst phone I’ve had. I hated being tied to iTunes and apps Apple passed. Samsung have left Apple way behind in the hardware stakes and even if the iPhone 5 manages to catch up I’m sure Samsung will have even better stuff just around the corner. With Steve Jobs no longer around to guide it I don’t expect Apple to get back in front.
That’s cuz they have so many models of phone while Apple only have one iPhone
* and also, Samsung phones are more cheaper which would also automatically make them more popular.
yeah a good stategy by samsung, eggs and one basket and all that.
The S3 is cheaper????
I’m happy with me htc wildfire.;)
‘this fall’ Gavan? Jesus wept
90% of apple users believe Steve Jobs Invented everything first.He was nothing more than a good marketer and not an engineer.
Apple devices are idiot proof and are made so the end user does not have the power to cause any harm.
Android is open source and open to all developers. Any tech savvy users will pick android over apple any day.
This message sent from my Samsung GS3 the best phone ever!
Can’t wait till this fall so
Just make sure you have a cover on it when it “falls” or you might crack the screen.
oh, you meant Autumn
Was very happy with my Palm Treo. Still miss many of the functions.
An an iPhone user now for some time though resurrected the Treo from the toy box on more than one occasion. iPhone suits me now as I use a variety if iOS devices and they sync well.
Each to their own. Come a long way from my Motorola on 4X AA batteries
The S3 is white and looks horrible.
The One X is black and looks lovely.
Tech wise one outplays the other by tiny amounts in the various areas leaving them about level pegging.
So the One X wins on looks.
There’s also the dark blue option if white doesn’t take your fancy! I didn’t think I’d like the white myself but I do now, so much so that the clanger proof cover is clear…
Interesting how nobody mentions the “nexus” branding of phones which is the bulldozer starting it’s engine (already accounting for some of Samsung’s market share). Wait for the tidal wave of nexus phones this Christmas (multiple manufacturers).
…oh, and the return/entrance of Microsoft as a serious contender.
…Long live competition!
Logging out of my crystal ball.
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