It’s a new year, which means plenty of potential new travel adventures are on the horizon. In your trip planning process, you may have several considerations running through your mind, from distance cost, the activities available, and whatever else you want to have a comfortable stay. But safety is likely at the top of that list. To help you narrow down where to go, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection published its Safest Destinations report, highlighting the best spots to visit in 2024 when safety is on your mind. And if you’re from the United States, the safest destination may be closer than you think.
For nine years, the company has surveyed travelers based on data from the Global Peace Index and the U.S. State Department’s travel safety ratings, as well as GeoSure Global average scores for major cities in each country, and Compiled a list of the safest countries in the world to visit. Over the past decade, however, some other list aspects have changed.
“… A safe place originally meant a place without terrorist activity. Then, it became a safe place from disease outbreaks. Now, it’s a place where all types of people can walk freely without discrimination or harassment, “the company shared in its 2024 ranking. “As the definition of a safe destination continues to change, so does the safest place in the world. Are there places where people can move around freely, free from disease, free from bad weather?”
The answer is yes. According to the rankings, Canada is at the top of the list, which rose from sixth place in 2023 to first place. As for how it stands out, the company shares that “cold weather and low population density make travel safer.”
Canada also ranks first in traffic safety, violent crime, and health measures. It is the safest place for women and LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. However, Berkshire Hathaway noted that natural disasters still need to be kept in mind when visiting Canada, chief among them being wildfires. Canada’s excessive forests are burning, reducing air quality in most of the country’s major cities. This makes it very difficult for people with respiratory illnesses to travel to Canada.”
Switzerland ranked second in 2024, up from ninth in 2023, receiving high marks for its low crime and safety history. However, the company noted that Canada is a place where natural disasters can occur, including avalanches and landslides.
Norway (third), Ireland (fourth), and the Netherlands (fifth) round out the top five. The Netherlands fell from first place in 2023 due to an increase in petty crime.
