For the second year in a row, Sweden is number one in the world when it comes to how sustainable the world's travelers perceive destinations and countries. This is according to global research company Euromonitor, which published its latest Sustainability Travel Index during the German travel fair ITB in Berlin.
What is highlighted as success factors in the survey is first and foremost the merit of the Swedish tourism industry: Sweden's green and eco-chic travel experiences.
Other attractions include Sweden's forests, lakes, Arctic adventures, meal experiences in the form of self-picking berries, fruit and mushrooms (foraging ingredients), the Sami culture, oyster safaris, the Northern Lights and timber rafting.
Euromonitor also specifically mentions the Swedish eco-tourism label Nature's Best, which was launched back in 2002 as the first national label for ecotourism in the northern hemisphere by the Ecotourism Association, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation and Visit Sweden, which was then called the Swedish Travel and Tourist Council.
The fact that 23 of Sweden's cities are part of the initiative for climate-neutral cities 2030 (viable cities), the Swedish right of public access and Sweden's 30 national parks are further factors that have contributed to Sweden's top ranking.
Euromonitor's list of the world's most sustainable countries:
- Sweden
- Slovakia
- Austria
- Finland
- Estonia
- Iceland
- France
- Latvia
- Slovenia
- Norway
Euromonitor International has compared 99 countries' sustainability in environmental, social and economic sustainability, transportation, housing, risks and demand for sustainable tourism.
On its website, where the report can be ordered, Euromonitor writes: ”"Not surprisingly given the European Green Deal, the top 20 leading countries in the Sustainable Travel Index for 2020 are located in Europe, led by Sweden ranked first with its unique, eco-chic tourism offer that spans Arctic adventures to cool city experiences."”
More on Euromonitor's Sustainability Travel Index:
