These are the 20 most sustainable countries for tourism
- 17 Mar 2021
Gulf Today Report
Sweden has topped the list of the world’s most sustainable countries for travel in a new index.
Following the Scandinavian nation in Euromonitor’s Top Countries for Sustainable Travel are Finland (second) and Austria (third).
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Rounding out the top five is Estonia and Norway.
The top 20 nations in Euromonitor’s Top Countries for Sustainable Travel are all in Europe, including Slovakia, France, Iceland and Croatia, reports The Independent.
The index, which ranked 99 countries around the world, analysed seven aspects of sustainable tourism, including the calibre of a nation’s eco transport and accommodation, as well as social and environmental sustainability.
Sweden is the birthplace of the flygskam movement and climate activist Greta Thunberg.
It took the top spot thanks to its focus on generating tourism that has helped the environment and society as well as the economy, as well as its engagement with its UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Euromonitor stated: “The government established the framework critical to Sweden’s success to achieve the 17 SDGs, especially regarding climate action, conserving biodiversity in the Arctic and moving to a carbon-free circular economy.
“Focused on devising a sustainable tourism strategy, Sweden is working to promote rural and regional tourism in core cities.
“The country also benefits from efficient transport infrastructure and alternative forms of travel besides air to help appease flight-shaming.
“For sustainable lodging, Sweden serves as a role model with its award-winning Nordic eco-chic architecture and design.”
At the bottom end, Pakistan, India and Mauritius were ranked the least sustainable travel hotspots.
Sustainable travel has gained immense traction in recent years, with our planet taking an ecological beating.
However, only 55 per cent of travel businesses implemented some form of sustainability strategy, according to Euromonitor.
The research firm predicts there will be “growing awareness among consumers, businesses and governments” to prioritise the planet alongside people and profit when global tourism begins again following travel restrictions across the world.
The top 20 countries for sustainable tourism:
- Sweden
- Finland
- Austria
- Estonia
- Norway
- Slovakia
- Iceland
- Latvia
- France
- Slovenia
- Switzerland
- Lithuania
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Ireland
- Germany
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Netherlands
- Portugal