The result places Sweden in 10th place out of 50 countries, when countries are ranked based on how safe respondents say they feel when traveling to each country.
The results come from a recent sub-study that is part of the global Nation Brands Index, which deals with how populations in different countries perceive other nations.
The sub-study asks how comfortable people feel about traveling to Sweden in relation to how the country has handled health crises such as Covid-19, Ebola and Zika.
– Even though the situation for our visitor and tourism industry is very, very difficult, the results of the survey can hopefully provide some hope and encouragement for the future, says Visit Sweden's CEO Ewa Lagerqvist.
According to another recent survey, conducted by YouGov, up to 8 out of 10 Europeans are currently choosing to stay at home rather than risk being quarantined when traveling.
This shows that there are more factors that influence travel desire and travel between countries than just the handling of Covid-19 itself, including the outlook for one's own economy, whether it is even possible to travel to a country or not, or uncertainty about rapidly changing travel restrictions.
To continue maintaining Sweden's attractiveness as a tourist destination, Visit Sweden, which is Sweden's marketing company, adapted all of its communication around the world early this spring to the new conditions and different future scenarios for countries' travel.
– We are following the development of Covid-19 around the world very closely. At the same time, we are maintaining a close dialogue with foreign tour operators and educating them on Sweden's range of fantastic offers until it becomes possible to travel again, says Visit Sweden's CEO Ewa Lagerqvist.
Visit Sweden has worked consistently to promote the image of Sweden as an innovative and caring country with miles of accessible nature.
Facts
For more details, see the Swedish Institute's press release and report: https://si.se/sverige-pa-plats-15-av-50-i-studie-om-landers-hantering-av-halsokriser/
The Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brands Index (NBI), collects responses about 50 nations from over 20,000 interviews in 20 panel countries with respondents aged 18 or older. This survey was conducted during July-August this year. The full-scale NBI will be presented by Anholt-Ipsos later this fall.
When asked how safe respondents feel about visiting different countries, based on their handling of health crises, they answered:
- 41.9 % that they feel safe traveling to Sweden
- 36.6 % remained neutral
- 21.5 % indicated that they were less comfortable traveling to Sweden.
