A new survey has revealed which countries Americans believe are the safest for travelers. Whilst travel advisories do a great job in keeping travelers informed about which countries are safe to travel in and what risks travelers might face in those countries, nothing really captures the vibe of how safe or dangerous a destination feels quite like hearing it straight from the traveler’s mouth – and that’s exactly where the latest travel safety survey took their information from.
Published by travel insurance provider Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, the survey shows the perceived safety level of destinations around the world from the eyes of American travelers – and it could make for illuminating reading ahead of the much-anticipated, potentially record-breaking summer of travel this year.
Here’s a look at the results of the survey, plus a look at what entry requirements of the top countries on the list.
Survey Reveals Safest Destinations – Information For Travelers
The survey carried out by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, called the 2022 “State of Travel Insurance Report”, was conducted in September 2021. The insurance company asked more than 1,500 Americans about their perceptions of the safety of different countries, taking into account not only traditional safety worries such as crime, terrorism, transportation, and health, but also the safety of travelers who are female, LGBTQ, or people of color.
According to American travelers who were surveyed, these ten countries are deemed to be the safest to travel to in 2022:
- Canada (Score: 71.94)
- Iceland (Score: 70.88)
- Sweden (Score: 70.42)
- Japan (Score: 68.58)
- Ireland (Score: 66.75)
- Switzerland (Score: 66.01)
- South Korea (Score: 65.84)
- Thailand (Score: 65.81)
- New Zealand (Score: 65.27)
- Australia (Score: 65.18)
According to the President of Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, Carol Mueller, this year’s survey saw a notable shift in terms of what travelers deem to be their primary safety concerns.
Whereas once terrorism and violent crime were amongst a traveler’s biggest worries, this year’s survey reflected the situation around the world, with travelers supposedly most concerned about their freedom of movement and staying free from disease.
Entry to the top spot, Canada, is relatively simple for vaccinated travelers, with testing now removed, but unvaccinated travelers remain unable to enter for tourism purposes.
Iceland, which took the second spot, is easier to enter, with the country having removed all of its Covid-19 related restrictions back in February. That means both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers are able to enter without any barriers. Ireland, Sweden, and Switzerland to have removed all of their testing and vaccination requirements.
Here are the entry requirements for the rest of the top 10:
- At present, only fully vaccinated travelers may enter Australia, but they can do so without needing to take a test beforehand.
- All travelers to South Korea must have a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of their flight, whilst there is a mandatory 7-day quarantine upon entry for travelers who are unvaccinated
- Thailand has recently removed both its pre-departure and on-arrival testing requirements. However, travel insurance with a coverage of $10,000 is needed, as is registration for the Thailand Pass
- At present, only vaccinated visitors from visa waiver countries, and visitors from other countries who already hold a valid visitor visa can enter New Zealand and self-test on arrival. Further border restriction easing will take place throughout the year
- It is not currently possible to enter Japan
