Holidays in 2019 are likely to be booked in just a few days as Britons make the most of the January sales. Popular places next year are thought to be Japan, which is hosting the Rugby World Cub, and Itay, with it being the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci. However, attempting to choose the safest place to travel with the family can be difficult with threats of crime, local laws and tourists being imprisoned or killed. Express.co.uk reveal some of the safest countries in the world to book a holiday to next year.
Iceland
The cold country is often deemed safest in the world for a number of reasons.
It is the only NATO member without a standing army, and there are just 1.6 murders per year on average. It has also remained neutral in both wars, despite being taken over by the UK.
Despite high gun ownership, gun crime is also low with them used primarily for hunting.
While there is a military agreement with Norway and Denmark, the country rarely experiences any crime and the biggest threat to tourists remains to be the terrain.
Many head to Iceland to go on arctic explorations, which can be difficult due to the weather and remote location. Volcano eruptions have also caused travel disruption in recent years.
Norway
The Nordic country is also considered a safe holiday destination, for similar reasons to Iceland.
One of the worst attacks in its history was in 2011, when a terrorist attack killed 77 people following a car bomb and a shooting.
However, the main threat against tourists are petty thefts and scams.
Canada
Violent crime against tourists in Canada is extremely low. 2017 crime rates were 30 per cent lower than in 2003 when it reached a peak.
Most attacks are often against minority groups in the country or are domestic cases.
It is also considered a progressive country with LGBT rights some of the most open in the world, as well as recreational cannabis legalised.
The biggest threat is petty crime such as pickpocketing, although Chinese tourists are threatening to boycott the country following the arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou.
Switzerland
Crime rates have continued to fall in Switzerland, with violent crimes and burglaries lowest in 2017, according to the country’s Federal Statistic Bureau.
However, there has been an increase in thefts in public transport areas popular with tourists such as the airport and trains in Geneva.
Tourists should also be aware of road travel which sees huge fines if speeding or without correct documentation.
The country has remained neutral since 1815, in both World War I and World War II despite being surrounded during the latter with military neutrality after the Treaty of Paris.
Not only is army conscription mandatory, but most homes also have bunkers to withstand nuclear blasts – reports suggest 114 per cent of the population could be protected.
