When it comes to planning a vacation, one thing is particularly important to many of us: safety. Who wants to worry about conflicts, natural disasters, or violence while on vacation? A new study by the Swiss platform HelloSafe now provides clarity and shows that Europe is the safest continent for travelers. And Austria? It ranks very high in the ranking!
These are the safest travel destinations in the world
According to the HelloSafe study, which assesses the safety of countries worldwide based on 35 criteria, Austria ranks an impressive fourth. Only Iceland, Singapore, and Denmark score higher. This means that Austria is not only one of the safest countries in Europe, but also among the very best in the world.
What are the criteria for the study? From natural disasters and social violence to healthcare and the militarization of a country, all these aspects were included in the safety index. With a score of 20.3 points, Austria is among the absolute leaders.
Europe: The rock in the (vacation) surf
Anyone who decides to travel within Europe is generally making the right choice in terms of safety. According to HelloSafe, 30 of the 50 safest countries in the world are in Europe. 12 European countries are in the top 15, including Switzerland (5th place), the Czech Republic (6th place), and Norway.
However, not every European country scores equally well. While Austria, Iceland, and Denmark shine, the outlook for some classic vacation destinations is rather bleak. France ranks only 80th worldwide, mainly due to the continuing threat of terrorism. Spain and Italy, although very popular with tourists, fare only slightly better in comparison.
The other side of the scale: where travel becomes risky
Relaxed travel is not possible everywhere in the world. According to HelloSafe, the most unsafe countries in the world are the Philippines, Colombia, and Mexico. These countries struggle with high levels of violence in society, frequent natural disasters, and a tense political climate.
Countries such as Syria, Yemen, and Russia are also considered particularly dangerous, often due to ongoing or escalating conflicts. And even a popular travel destination like the US is among the 15 most unsafe countries in the world. So, if you’re traveling there, you should be extra prepared.
Incidentally, only three countries outside Europe make it onto the list of the 15 safest countries – Singapore, Bhutan, and Qatar. However, the latter is not unreservedly recommended for certain groups of travelers (for example, from the LGBTQIA community) – according to the “Gay Travel Guide,” Qatar only ranks 206th out of 210.
So when planning your vacation, in addition to travel guides and weather reports, be sure to check the latest safety information, for example, from the State Department, because the best trip is always the one where you feel safe and well taken care of.
- source: oe24.at/picture: Image by Pam Patterson from Pixabay
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