SAO PAOLO, Sept 10 — Brazilians are on the move more than ever before, using their rising incomes to travel the world. And a new report profiling their travel patterns and preferences shows which countries they deem the friendliest, most beautiful and most intriguing.

While the economic giant in South America is poised to become a major tourist destination thanks to the World Cup next year and the Olympic games in 2016, Brazilians are also traveling in greater numbers than ever before, bringing home impressions of the countries they’re visiting.

Between 2002 and 2011, for instance, the Brazilian outbound travel market grew from 2.2 million trips to an estimated 7.5 million. By 2015, rising incomes are expected to help a burgeoning middle class and wealthy Brazilians take more than 11 million trips.

And their favorite destination? The US, in part for being energetic, liberal and confident.

Here’s how other countries stacked up according to globetrotting Brazilians:

Friendliest country: 1.Italy 2. Mexico 3. Canada Confident: US, UK, France

Beautiful: Italy, France, Australia

Liberal: US, France, Australia

Intriguing: Australia, Mexico, UK

Energetic: US, UK, Australia

Informal: Mexico, US, Australia

Authentic: Italy, France, UK

Inspirational: France, Italy, UK

Witty: Italy, Mexico, France. – AFP