Why is safety not a bigger factor when deciding where to travel?

It’s hard to quantify what makes a region safe or unsafe as a tourist. And yet there are credible organizations and journalists that have sought to quantify it. A cause close to my heart, as I, too, like to quantify what’s difficult to break down into numbers, so we can compare and contrast data.

Some people forget or don’t factor in safety abroad. Maybe they think it’s perfectly safe to stay in a tourist area. Maybe they don’t know that not all countries are alike in safety and enforcement of the laws that protect safety.

Regardless of these ideas, you should have peace of mind when traveling, and not have to worry if your possessions get stolen, or your personal safety is compromised in some way.

Here is a list of the top 10 safest countries to travel:

1. Switzerland
2. Iceland
3. Norway
4. Denmark
5. Canada
6. Ireland
7. New Zealand
8. Australia
9. Portugal
10. Austria

The following are some sources I use when determining where I want to travel, and where I am least likely to travel:

• US News
  • These Are the Safest Countries In the World
• Forbes
  • The 15 Safest Countries To Travel, Ranked In A New Report
  • The Safest Cities In The U.S., Ranked In A New Report
• Global Peace Index
  • Global Peace Index
• USA Today
  • This North American country tops the list of the safest countries for travelers

Here are some ways to keep yourself safer when traveling:

1. Try not to draw attention to yourself.
2. Keep your hands on your belongings.
3. Email yourself copies of things like your passport, and insurance information, in case they get stolen. This will make it easier to get replacements.
4. Always tell family or friends your location and keep them updated on any changes so they know where you are, if needed, in an emergency.
5. Keep emergency services phone numbers handy.
6. Don’t let strangers know where you are staying or if you’re alone when traveling.
7. Avoid signals of wealth, such as flashing large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry.
8. Don’t drink to excess or do any illicit drugs in the country you are staying in.
9. Do your own research. Most importantly, do a search online about safety precautions you should take, for example, on https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html, a US Department of State website, you can learn just that. Type in the country you want to go to, and it will list a level. For example, if you type in “Canada,” it will tell you “level 1: exercise normal precautions”. Some countries, it will list “level 4: do not travel,” such as a war zone, or a place with high crime rates.