The Netherlands jumped from 14th to 1st place in the 2026 global safety rankings. Iceland dropped to fourth after a volcano reminded everyone nature doesn’t care about your vacation plans.
Now everyone’s booking Amsterdam.
The Berkshire Hathaway report combined survey data with crime statistics, healthcare quality, and inclusivity scores. The Netherlands performed well across all metrics. Iceland’s Sundhnúksgígar fissure erupted multiple times in 2025. Evacuations. Blue Lagoon closures. The works.
Safety rankings shift where people book trips. A destination gets labeled “safest” and bookings jump. Volcanoes erupt and they drop.
How the Definition Shifted
Safety used to mean low crime rates. Now? Healthcare access. Climate stability. Whether you walk around without someone harassing you for who you are.
The Netherlands scored high for LGBTQ+ travelers, women, and people of color. 23,000 miles of bike lanes. Cities like The Hague ranking 10th globally for safety.
Tourist arrivals are expected to hit 29.3 million by 2028. Tourism spending hit €111.2 billion in 2024.
Destinations without inclusive infrastructure will lose market share to those with the setup.
The Real Pattern
Europe claimed half the top 10 spots. Political stability and strong healthcare systems create the foundation. The Netherlands added cycling infrastructure, inclusive policies, well-lit streets.
Here’s where other destinations miss the point. You don’t market safety without building what backs up your claim.
Most countries will respond with campaigns. Some will install bike lanes, fund healthcare, and protect vulnerable travelers before printing brochures.
Rankings measure what already exists. They don’t create anything.
