International travel was hampered for the majority of 2020 due to the COVID-19 epidemic, but as vaccines are provided and more countries reopen their borders to foreign tourists, there is hope that Americans will restore a sense of normalcy in 2021 regarding where and how they can travel overseas. For many, safety will be paramount, and while things might change rapidly throughout the COVID-19 period, there are a few potential sites that stand out in terms of affording passengers both protection and peace of mind.
Canada
Although Canada is still off-limits to Americans, a recent survey done by travel insurance company Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection found that it is the safest location. Along with successfully managing the coronavirus pandemic, Canada was voted the safest country in the world across all three age categories, with millennials, middle-aged, and senior travelers all agreeing.
New Zealand
New Zealand is another country that has responded admirably to the COVID-19 situation and is still closed to Americans as the new year approaches. The Down Under location is ranked second on the 2020 Global Peace Index, only four positions ahead of Canada. The United States State Department has likewise issued a Level 1 travel advice for New Zealand (adhere to standard measures).
Australia
As with its Oceania neighbor, Australia consistently ranks highly on the Global Peace Index and has fared pretty well throughout the coronavirus pandemic of 2020. Regrettably, Australia, like New Zealand, will close its doors to eager US leisure travelers in 2021.
Iceland
Iceland, which ranks first on the 2020 Global Peace Index, will stay restricted to Americans until 2021 due to its limitations mirroring those of the European Union. The United States’ COVID-19 caseload must significantly improve by early 2021 in order for Iceland and the rest of Europe to open its doors to Americans sooner rather than later.
Switzerland
Switzerland ranks in the top ten countries for peace but has battled in recent years to contain the coronavirus outbreak. Switzerland, like the majority of places, is a dependably safe destination that Americans will have to dream about for the time being when it comes to non-essential travel.
Scandinavia
Scandinavia, which includes Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and, yes, Finland, rates highly in terms of peace and happiness. According to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s World Happiness Report, Finland is the world’s happiest country, followed by Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Additionally, all four countries are among the top 17 on the 2020 Global Peace Index.
Italy
Italy was devastated in the early phases of the coronavirus epidemic, but has recovered successfully and continues to be one of the world’s most peaceful countries, according to the 2020 Global Peace Index. When Europe reopens to leisure tourists from the United States, you can expect that Americans will rush to this sought cultural hub.
Ireland
Ireland, which ranks among the top 20 countries in the world for both peace and happiness, is now open to American travelers looking for a safe location abroad. Visitors, on the other hand, must complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form and remain in quarantine for at least two weeks.
Singapore
While the pandemic has compelled the US State Department to raise travel advisory levels for a number of destinations that were previously considered safe to visit, Singapore is one of only five countries listed at Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) on the State Department’s four-tier scale heading into January. Additionally, the autonomous island city-state came in the seventh position on the 2020 Global Peace Index.
Thailand
Thailand enters 2021 as one of the safest travel locations on the planet, even in the event of a global epidemic. The Asian hotspot just got a US State Department Level 1 travel alert (take customary measures) and a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Level 1 Travel Health Notice (Low Level of COVID-19) (CDC).
Taiwan
Taiwan, like Thailand, is one of the few countries to begin the new year at a low-risk Level 1, according to both the US State Department and the CDC. While Taiwan might improve its ranking on the Global Peace Index (37th), it is still much ahead of the United States, which ranks 121st.
Portugal
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Portugal was one of the most popular international destinations for Americans, and while the COVID-19 crisis forced many to postpone travel plans, the European country, which ranks third on the 2020 Global Peace Index, remains one of the safest places in the world for travelers.
Isles Cayman
Although the Caribbean was always proximate, it became one of the most accessible destinations for American vacationers during the COVID era. The Cayman Islands, which is now exclusively open to qualified tourists (repatriation, Global Citizens, and work permit holders), has wasted no time in demonstrating that its pandemic measures are followed seriously, which should bring additional comfort to visitors in the new year.
Turks and Caicos Islands
The stunning Turks and Caicos islands reopened to tourists last summer and have already drawn a slew of celebrities, including Ludacris and Kylie Jenner. The Caribbean hotspot enters 2021 with a CDC Level 2 Travel Health Advisory, indicating that travelers stand only a moderate risk of contracting the pandemic.
St. Lucia
Saint Lucia, one of the first places to reopen to Americans this summer, has also drawn celebrities in the aftermath of the COVID-19 incident. Along with pre-arrival registration and health inspections, visitors from countries outside the “travel bubble,” such as the United States, must submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test within seven days of travel.
Aruba
Aruba was already one of the safest holiday destinations in the world but secured its position on the list in 2021 by adopting a multi-tiered approach to tourism that requires tourists to provide negative tests and acquire insurance to cover them in the case they contract a severe illness. COVID-19.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica, one of the happiest places on the planet, also provides visitors much to see and do outside, which is critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s reasonable to conclude that the unique Central American country that offers travelers a taste of both the Caribbean and Pacific will continue to appeal to nature enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies in 2021.
Japan
Japan was placed 10th on the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection Safest Countries scale for the second consecutive year and has been positioned between seventh and fourteenth on the BHTP list for the last three years. Additionally, Japan is ranked ninth on the 2020 World Peace Index.
