Overtourism has raised concerns among 74% of American tourists, making ecologically safe travel a top issue.
To address overtourism and its impact on the environment, countries around the world have begun charging fees to visit some important attractions.
In January, Tripadvisor, in conjunction with the Global Destination Sustainability Movement, reviewed 100 places with a four bubble rating or better during a 12-month period (October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023). Tripadvisor has ranked the world’s top most sustainable cities based on visitor evaluations containing sustainability-related phrases such as “environmentally friendly,” “eco-tourism,” and “waste reduction”.
Tripadvisor’s initial ranking had no American cities, with Montreal, Canada, being the only destination from the Americas to rank.
Tripadvisor ranks Copenhagen, Denmark, as the most sustainable destination.
The capital is one of Europe’s oldest and cleanest cities. Denmark has pledged to becoming carbon neutral by 2025.
According to The Telegraph, almost two-thirds of the city’s hotels have eco-certificates, and vending machines offer money for empty cans or plastic cups.
Copenhagen also has over 200 miles of bike routes and multiple train lines. The local airport is among the busiest in the Nordic countries.
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Bordeaux, France
- Helsinki, Finland
- Singapore
- Melbourne, Australia
- Oslo, Norway
- Brussels, Belgium
- Galway, Ireland
- Belfast, United Kingdom
Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, is regarded as the world’s second most sustainable destination.
The city aims to become fossil-free and climate-positive by 2040, according to the World Economic Forum.
Sweden relies on renewable energy for 60% of its energy supply and is among the top ten in the Environmental Performance Index.
Stockholm has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Royal Palace Drottningholm, the Skogskyrkogården (Woodland Cemetery), and Birka, a Viking outpost from around 750 AD, according to the municipal website.