For travel enthusiasts, 2021 was a year of progress and setbacks, with some major destinations reopening for tourism over the last 12 months and airline travel spiking as vaccination rates against Covid-19 soared.
However, the emergence of the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus in late November led to travel warnings and stricter entry requirements.
Thus, in 2022, travelers will once again seek out destinations that prioritize safety.
TravelPulse has provided an early look at some of the safest destination options, based on the most recent US Department of State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, as well as data from the 2021 Global Peace Index (GPI).
The list ranks more than 160 countries worldwide based on their level of societal security and safety, the extent of ongoing local and international conflict, and the degree of militarization.
The following are the safest destinations:
The UAE
The UAE, which includes significant locations such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai, is only one of a handful of countries to receive first-class travel advisories.
According to the CDC, the UAE, which ranks 26th in the GPI, has a low rate of Covid-19 infections.
The British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands, like the UAE, began the new year with Level 1 travel recommendations from both the US State Department and the CDC.
The islands are now open to international visitors after officials recently eased entry requirements for fully vaccinated persons.
Jamaica
Jamaica is one of the Level 2 recommended countries to visit this year, with officials advising visitors to take extra caution owing to Covid-19.
Within the island’s borders, the CDC reports moderate coronavirus infections.
Bahamas
Travelers looking forward to sun, sand, and sea in 2022 can travel with confidence to the Bahamas.
In December, the US State Department and the CDC issued Level 2 travel recommendations for the islands.
Iceland
While the coronavirus continues to be a global threat, the European island ranks No 1 in the GPI, leading Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s list of 2022’s Best Travel Destinations.
Fiji
Fiji, a South Pacific Island nation made up of hundreds of islands, is a must-visit destination for many travelers.
As the country reopens with Covid-19 testing requirements, it’s crucial to remember that the US State Department’s travel advisory rating places it at Level 1 to begin the year.
Meanwhile, the CDC assigned Fiji a Level 1 travel rating, indicating that the island has a low risk of virus infection.
Canada
Canada is consistently ranked among the safest countries in the world.
While Covid-19 has prompted the State Department and the CDC to issue Level 3 travel advisories, the North American destination ranks 12th globally in the 2021 GPI and third on the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s list for the safest places to visit in 2022.
New Zealand
Since the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020, New Zealand has been closed to most travelers worldwide.
However, as the country enters 2022, there is optimism that foreign tourists will be welcomed again soon.
After Iceland and Denmark, the country was ranked third in the 2021 GPI and second on Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s list of Best Travel Destinations in 2022.