Sustainable Travel Index: European countries rank highest

Sweden, Finland, Austria, Estonia, and Norway rank at the top of Euromonitor International’s Sustainable Travel Index

Having developed a 'Sustainable Travel Index', the global market research company Euromonitor International has released a report identifying how 99 countries rank in terms of sustainable tourism.

In its report, Euromonitor International explains how it developed the aforementioned index; that is, countries were assessed and ranked based on 7 key factors that make up sustainable tourism:

1. Environmental sustainability
2. Social sustainability
3. Economic sustainability
4. Risk
5. Sustainable demand
6. Sustainable transport
7. Sustainable lodging

European countries rank at the top

While the Euromonitor International assessed countries from all over the world, European countries ranked highest. In fact, they make up the entire Top 20 list of the Sustainable Travel Index.

1. Sweden
2. Finland
3. Austria
4. Estonia
5. Norway
6. Slovakia
7. Iceland
8. Latvia
9. France
10. Slovenia
11. Switzerland
12. Lithuania
13. Croatia
14. Czech Republic
15. Ireland
16. Germany
17. Belgium
18. Denmark
19. Netherlands
20. Portugal

With Sweden and Finland ranking at the top of the list, the report has labelled Scandinavia as 'exemplary'. Moreover, it commented on the leading country, noting that it acts as proof that being sustainable can help enhance travel and tourism.

It is important to recall that the flygskam – or flight shaming – movement originated in Sweden. As such, the country encourages alternative travel methods and thereby ensures sustainable transport. Euromonitor International also attributes Sweden's high rank in the Sustainable Travel Index to its "award-winning Nordic eco-chic architecture and design".

Like most countries in its region, Sweden is dedicated and committed to fighting climate change, becoming carbon neutral and moving towards a carbon-free circular economy. Taking all of this into account, it is not surprising that European (and especially Scandinavian) countries rank highest in the Sustainable Travel Index.

The full report ‘Top Countries For Sustainable Tourism: Embracing a Green Transformation For Travel Recovery’ can be found on and downloaded from the Euromonitor International’s website here.