| A country’s safety and sense of security are often key criteria for international travellers. Using a set of 35 objective indicators, HelloSafe has published for the first time its HelloSafe Index of the safety of countries worldwide, based on 5 categories of criteria: risk of natural disasters, violence in society, involvement in armed conflict, health infrastructure and militarization.
The results show that Iceland, Singapore (here’s a story I wrote about Singapore recently) and Denmark are the three safest countries in the world to travel to in 2024. The Philippines, Colombia and Mexico are the three least safe countries in the world in 2024.
Countries were rated from on a scale of o to 100, with 0 being the safest rating and 100 the worst.
According to the data compiled in the index, Iceland is currently the safest country in the world, with a score of 18.23 points out of 100, ahead of Singapore (19.99 points) and Denmark (20.05 points). Moreover, 12 of the 15 safest countries in the world are in Europe, including Switzerland (the fifth safest country in the world with an index of 20.51 points). Bhutan (22.98 points) and Qatar (23.33 points) also feature in the top 15, making them very safe destinations for travellers.
Canada was given a moderate rating of 40.03, while the USA was marked at 59.47.
Other notables were Australia (45.10), New Zealand (34.02), South Africa (44.63), and the UK (30.59).
 A waterfall in Iceland. ROBERT LUKEMAN/UNSPLASH PHOTO TOP TEN SAFEST COUNTRIES
- Iceland
- Singapore
- Denmark
- Austria
- Switzerland
- Czech Republic
- Slovenia
- Finland
- Ireland
- Hungary
TOP TEN MOST DANGEROUS COUNTRIES
- Philippines
- Colombia
- Mexico
- India
- Russia
- Yemen
- Indonesia
- Somalia
- Mozambique
- Pakistan
To consult the complete study: https://hellosafe.ca/en/travel-insurance/hellosafe-index
ADVENTURE TRAVEL TRENDS
 Kluane National Park in the Yukon. JIM BYERS PHOTO The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) has unveiled the 2024 Adventure Travel Industry Snapshot, offering a comprehensive analysis of the industry’s health, future prospects, and global trends impacting the adventure travel industry.
Among the key takeaways from the survey is the impact of climate change on adventure travel. While top destinations for adventure travelers remain consistent with past years, cooler weather destinations (like Canada and Norway) are becoming more popular due to the increase in global temperatures.
Other key findings:
- Top trending adventure travel activities continue to lean towards accessible soft adventure
including hiking/trekking/walking, culinary/gastronomy, cultural, safaris/wildlife viewing, electricbike cycling, and wildlife/nature photography.
- Regarding climate-related actions, 53% of respondents are reducing emissions by
purchasing from more sustainable suppliers, 45% disseminate climate-conscious travel
education, 41% are reducing emissions by conserving water and 40% are reducing
emissions by sustainably sourcing food.
- Respondents’ most popular itineraries are priced at a median of US$2,813 (for 8 nights), 75% of which (US$2,110 on average) is spent with local suppliers. This demonstrates the economic impact of adventure travel and is consistent with 2023.
- The most popular consumer motivations for traveling were new experiences, to go off the beaten
track, and to travel like a local.
- The hottest trending destinations were the Mediterranean, Western Europe, Scandinavia, and
North-East Asia.
WISCONSIN WONDERS
 The Milwaukee Art Museum in Wisconsin. JIM BYERS PHOTO
In the evolving world of travel, Dupe Travel emerges as a captivating phenomenon. Characterized by seeking destinations that offer experiences similar to more famous, often more expensive, tourist spots, this TikTok trend is set to take center stage. For instance, Liverpool, England, became a compelling “dupe” to London, experiencing a remarkable spike of 138% in the U.S. and 97% worldwide (Expedia).
As travelers seek out authentic experiences without compromising on quality, Wisconsin emerges as a beacon of opportunity, offering dupe travel adventures that rival the world’s most iconic destinations.
Some of these dupe destinations include:
- Milwaukee – A charming alternative to bustling Chicago: While the Windy City may appear enormous, Milwaukee shines with its picturesque Lake Michigan waterfront, world-class breweries, and a burgeoning arts scene. Travelers can relish in the cosmopolitan ambiance of Milwaukee at a fraction of the cost, all while savoring the same urban allure. I’ve been to Milwaukee several times and quite enjoy it. The Historic Third Ward is a bustling area filled with great restaurants and bars, and the Milwaukee Art Museum is a stunning, lakefront building designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava.
- Skip the trip to Greece/Sweden’s islands and kayak the Apostle Islands instead: Instead of taking a long flight to kayak the popular (and over-crowded) Milos Sea Caves in Greece, head to the waters of Lake Superior and experience the Mediterranean-like clear waters while kayaking through the sea caves of the Apostle Islands. Popular for summer kayaking, the Apostle Islands offer unique views and outdoor recreation.
- Instead of Boulder, Colorado try Madison, Wisconsin: While both Boulder and Madison are college towns with outdoor activities to boot, Boulder seems to get all the love. But Madison is worth a second look. Wisconsin’s state capital sits on an isthmus between lakes Mendota and Monona, making it an outdoor lovers paradise. From college football tailgates in the fall to boat days in the summer and skiing or ice fishing in the winter – Madison is a year-round destination worthy of a getaway of its own.
PINK CHAMPAGNE ON ICE
In 2023, Hurtigruten launched the concept “Bubbles from the Sea” (“Havets bobler” in Norwegian), the first underwater-aged sparkling wine matured in the Arctic region. A new batch of bottles has been stored and collected, this time from the northernmost point of the Norwegian coast, near Kirkenes. Never has wine been water-aged this far north. “Bubbles from the Sea” has proven a great success among Hurtigruten’s guests in the last year.
The 2024 batch of “Bubbles from the Sea” comprises 4,500 bottles stored at a depth of 34 meters (112 feet), 70 degrees north outside Bugøynes near Kirkenes since November last year. The idea is that aging in colder seas with a temperature of 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit), higher pressure, and constant darkness will provide a very distinctive maturation of the wine. This season’s batch was a significant increase of the 1,500 bottles originally submerged in 2022 for the 2023 season. Due to high demand, it will increase further to as many as 5,000 bottles to be submerged this September at a new, secret location along the Norwegian coast.
If octopuses are as smart as they seem to be, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of them popping a few corks sometime soon.
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