The top 20 countries for sustainable tourism

Sweden has been ranked as the most sustainable country for travel in a new index.

Following the Scandinavian nation in Euromonitor’s Top Countries for Sustainable Travel are Finland (second) and Austria (third).

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 Latvia.

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 notes: “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.