Which countries are safe for holidays? Where to relax safely: choose a country Rating of safe countries for tourism.

15.01.2024

The ten safest countries for tourists were named by experts from the World Economic Forum. In first place is Finland. Then come the UAE and Iceland. Well, Qatar closes the top ten. Well, what places are occupied by popular destinations among Russian tourists - Türkiye, Egypt, Tunisia?

From Qatar to Finland

At the beginning of the summer season, the World Economic Forum (WEF) published a ranking of the safest countries for tourists. Each country was assessed according to five criteria: the reliability of police services, the number of terrorist attacks, the murder rate (per hundred thousand population), and the costs of the tourism industry related to countering terrorism and crime.

According to WEF, the police work most effectively in the following countries: Finland, New Zealand, Switzerland, Singapore and Norway.

In terms of murder rates, the last places in the world (out of 137 countries studied) are Greece, Cyprus, Japan, Singapore and Iceland.

Businessmen working in the tourism sector spend the most on security in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Lesotho, Qatar, Finland, and Rwanda.

Americans name specific areas where terrorist attacks could occur

But the greatest costs for countering the terrorist threat have to be borne by businesses in Lesotho, Uruguay, Finland, Iceland and Zimbabwe. This is such a strange neighborhood...

Speaking of terrorism. Although today it is called “global”, even last year there were many countries on the planet where they had never heard of terrorist attacks - there were 33 of them (out of 137 studied by WEF experts). Moreover, among them were European states (Poland, Serbia, Romania, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Norway), but also “third world” countries (Gambia, Uruguay, Vietnam, Bolivia, El Salvador, Costa Rica). Russia ranks 109th in the ranking, and Ukraine ranks 127th.

Having summed up all the statistical criteria, WEF experts named the five safest countries on the planet, where nothing threatens tourists.

Switzerland took eighth place, Rwanda soared to ninth, and Qatar rounded out the top ten.

In Egypt you can get killed for drinking alcohol

But countries popular with tourists, on the contrary, are content with far from the most prestigious places. Let's say Egypt ended up only in 130th place - for this state, of course, the terrorist threat is extremely relevant. Just since the beginning of this year, according to estimates by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Measures to Combat It (START), there have been almost three dozen terrorist attacks in Egypt, in which more than 180 people were killed.

Moreover, they occur not only in the Sinai Peninsula (for Egypt this is approximately the same as the North Caucasus for the rest of Russia), but also in large cities. In Cairo, there have been several attacks on police patrols since the beginning of the year, and in early April, a suicide bomber blew himself up in a Coptic (Christian) church in Alexandria, Egypt's second city.

On January 3, a fanatic in the center of Cairo killed a Christian owner of a liquor store. When the owner was calmly smoking a hookah on the street in front of the shop, the Islamist approached him and cut his throat in cold blood. As he later explained to the police, this was punishment for selling “sinful” goods. By the way, even though Egypt is an Islamic country, you can buy alcohol here without any problems, and in large cities such as Cairo and Alexandria (not to mention coastal hotels) there are even pubs.

In general, the Middle East is an extremely heterogeneous region in terms of security, WEF experts note. There are both terribly dangerous countries and those that are among the ten most “calm” (Oman, Qatar and the UAE).

The authors of the rating note that significant progress has been made in ensuring the safety of tourists Bahrain, Iran, Morocco And Algeria. At the same time, for example, Tunisia, which is extremely popular among Russians, occupies only 102nd place in the ranking. Although since the beginning of the year, there have been only two terrorist attacks here: on March 12, militants staged a shootout at a checkpoint, and on June 3, they kidnapped and killed a shepherd (both incidents took place in the west of the country, very far from the tourist coast).

Experts who compiled the rating note a significant decline in the positions of such European “resort” countries as Spain And Italy. Once again, the threat of terrorism (as well as a noticeable deterioration in police performance) is to blame, of course.

According to WEF estimates, the terrorist threat remains extremely high in France, which has experienced several major terrorist attacks in recent years.

There are also countries popular among tourists whose low indicators are not related to terrorism. This is, in particular, Mexico, where the level of street and organized crime is traditionally extremely high.

To the airport - like an interrogation

WEF experts note that in the next decade it is the safety of vacationers (and not comfort at all) that will become the main trend in the tourism business of the planet. This is due to the wave of terrorist attacks that have swept through European capitals since 2015.

The world experienced roughly the same thing after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001: over ten years, airports and airlines across the planet spent $7.5 billion on implementing additional security measures.

This is exactly how the TSA PreCheck system, launched in 2011 by the US Transportation Security Administration, works. A passenger who has provided the most complete information about himself (including fingerprints and a biometric photo) is screened at the airport and checked in for the flight faster than others, without queuing.

Another system, GOES, works in a similar way, which makes it easier for “trusted” travelers to arrive in the United States: they must be citizens of “selected” countries and undergo an interview in advance to collect a complete dossier.

Such digital technologies ultimately make borders between countries more porous - but, of course, not for terrorists. At the same time, WEF experts note, in continental Europe today they are taking a completely different path: they are strengthening security measures, limiting freedom of movement. In fact, the very existence of the Schengen zone, the main achievement of European integration over the past twenty years, has been called into question.

Well, what will be the prospects for “tourist” security in Russia? The Free Press asked our experts this question.

Program Director for the North Caucasus of the International Crisis Group Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya:

I don’t foresee a serious increase in terrorist risks in the resort regions of Russia. New terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out, but rather they are possible in big cities. Although isolated attacks on tourists in the North Caucasus (especially in southern Dagestan) can occur at any time. But such a threat has existed throughout recent years, and now it has been largely minimized. So there is every reason to expect that the tourist season in Russia will be calm.

Expert of the Institute of National Strategy and editor-in-chief of the scientific journal “Muslim World” Raisu Suleymanov:

I believe that in Russia they will copy all the security system innovations that exist abroad, in order to then introduce them in our country. Increasingly, Israel's experience with control and inspection measures at its main international airport (in Tel Aviv) is being taken as a model, since the Jewish state has effective experience in countering terrorism.

Today, even on domestic flights in Russia, quite a thorough search has been carried out for a long time: for example, I recently flew from St. Petersburg to Kazan, and at Pulkovo airport, during the search, all passengers were asked to open their suitcases, take out their laptops, turn them on and show that they were working - that is, these are not dummies of some kind of explosive devices.

“SP”: - At the same time, Rais, when the same strict security measures began to be introduced at the Confederations Cup games, this caused misunderstanding and rejection of many fans: they say, but in Europe everything is not so strict.

But even your publication reported that ISIS supporters allegedly invented an improvised explosive device that looked like either a tablet or a laptop. Hence such meticulousness.

Of course, such unusually strict measures create certain inconveniences even at the airport when passing through a metal detector and a baggage scanner. After all, many people carry laptops with them in a suitcase or backpack, and everyone has to obediently take them out, turn them on, and show the guard that they are working. But these difficulties can be endured - safety is more important!

The biggest scandals before the start of the holiday season

“SP”: - In your opinion, will strengthening security measures only affect the transportation of goods through transport hubs?

Of course not! I admit that they will be more careful about the religious literature being transported. Objectively, little is looked at: luggage goes through a scanner, which shows that there is a book or several books in the suitcase. But that this is literature, little attention has been paid to this issue.

Now they will probably be looking to see if there is any extremist book. Although it is unlikely that someone planning to commit a terrorist attack on an airplane or at an airport will carry with him a book by a Wahhabi preacher. They usually try not to attract attention. But here the question is about who exactly is entering the country.

* “Islamic State” (ISIL) is a terrorist group whose activities on the territory of Russia are prohibited by the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation dated December 29, 2014.

Based on materials from the Free Press website

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Many people believe that traveling is dangerous. At the same time, they forget that they themselves live in states with extremely high crime rates. By traveling to the safest countries for tourists, you will feel safer than at home.

After a series of terrorist attacks at resorts around the world, many travelers are wondering where it is now safe to go on vacation abroad. This issue is especially of concern to Russian tourists, who suddenly lost their two most popular destinations. Of course, such places exist. According to company research Unisys, 10 states were included in the list of safe countries for tourists.

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Not so long ago, the country was ruled by a totalitarian regime, which did not prevent it from making a tremendous leap in development over the past decades. Now it is a quiet and peaceful state with a developed tourism infrastructure. The murder rate here is 0.7 people per 100 thousand inhabitants. For comparison, in the most dangerous country in the world, Honduras, this figure is 66, in Russia - 9.7.

9. Canada

Despite fairly relaxed legislation regarding gun ownership, only 1.73 murders per 100 thousand are recorded here. This is half that of its southern neighbor, the United States. The indicator is slightly higher than that of Slovenia, but the number of violent deaths is far from the only indicator that allows us to determine safe countries for tourism.

8. Austria

If it weren't for minor incidents of racism towards travelers, Austria would rank higher on the list. There are only 0.9 violent deaths per 100 thousand inhabitants. The high level of education and the amazing law-abiding nature of the country of ski resorts make it possible to safely add it to the list of safe destinations for Russian tourists.

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7. Czech Republic

It turns out that the country owes its high popularity among tourists not only to its unique architecture. A high level of comfort and safety also plays an important role.

6. Japan

The famous yakuza, as it turns out, is nothing more than an attraction for visitors. It has one of the lowest murder rates in the world (0.3 per 100,000), and respectful treatment of travelers makes visiting the state a pleasure. Thanks to this, Japan has long been on the list of the safest countries for tourists, including Russian ones.

5. Denmark

The picturesque Scandinavian country is a quiet place where people live in peace and quiet. Rarely does anything happen here, which is why Denmark is not often on the front pages of the international press.

4. Switzerland

The local law enforcement system works with the same precision as the notorious Swiss watch. The highest level of education and non-aligned status keep Switzerland aloof from all global conflicts, which gives good reason to list it among the safest countries for tourism.

3. Norway

It’s just that the dog’s cold has made the Norwegians so tolerant and tolerant, both towards their compatriots and towards tourists. Here you can safely explore even the most remote and uninhabited corners, which attracts many Russian tourists here.

2. Sweden

The country of victorious socialism is a popular tourist destination. Despite this, crime is practically absent here. Maybe because the concept of “poverty” does not exist in Sweden? Or because the Swedes firmly believe (and not without reason) that the state will protect them, despite their status and social status...

1. Iceland

If you can handle the cold well, then Iceland is an ideal place to live and travel. It was she who topped the list of the safest places for tourists (0.3 murders per 100 thousand inhabitants). Here you can safely leave the entrance doors open, a car with keys, or a bicycle on the street. The friendliness and hospitality of the locals knows no bounds, and the scenery here is simply indescribable.

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It is interesting to note that 4 of the safest countries for tourists are in Scandinavia, and only 2 are outside Europe. Maybe this is where the formula lies that would help reduce crime in the rest of the world?...

Life is scary, and traveling is even scarier: planes are shot down, bombs explode at the airport, people are shot at in hotels... Sometimes it seems that it’s better to lock yourself at home, close all the windows and doors and watch pictures with landscapes and city views on Tumblr.

But despite the turbulent situation, there are still countries in the world where you can simply enjoy traveling without worrying about your life. But, of course, there are also such dangerous places that it is better to trust your inner paranoid and not tempt fate.

Map of dangerous and safe countries according to the Global Peace Index

Dark green color – very high level of security. Green – high level. Yellow – medium level. Orange – low level. Red – very low.

5. Dangerous Country: Somalia, Africa

For 20 years in a row, Somalia has been rocked by civil war: on the one hand, the Transitional Federal Government, supported by the United States of America, on the other, Islamist rebels. In addition, the country is torn apart by endless conflicts between opposing tribes. Criminal gangs operate on land, and pirates operate on sea. In recent years, about 20% of the population has fled from the African state. Tourists have nothing to do here either - medicine is extremely undeveloped, there are problems with telephone communications, and traveling by car can easily become a real disaster - there are few gas stations, so there is every chance of getting stuck in the middle of the desert.

Somali children queue for food and water

4. Dangerous Country: Afghanistan

Tourists should forget about Afghanistan: the Central Asian state was recognized as the worst place for women. The statistics are frightening: for example, in 2014, 2,026 cases of violence against women were registered, including 162 women in the country who were beaten to death. Moreover, compared to the previous year, the figure increased by 15%. But the place is not safe for men either. The situation in the country is very turbulent, especially for foreigners - they can become victims of the Taliban. Thus, in 2007, the Taliban kidnapped 23 tourists from Korea from a regular city bus, killing two in the process.

Afghan women celebrate New Year in Kabul. Author: Ahmad Masood/Reuters.

3. Dangerous Country: Iraq

The Islamist terrorist organization Daesh operates in Iraq - the northern, western and central parts of the country, including the second largest Iraqi city of Mosul, are under its control. It is dangerous to approach Iraq's borders with Turkey, Syria and Iran. The terrorists spare no one: representatives of the Red Cross, the UN, journalists and ordinary tourists come under attack. Hotels, restaurants, cafes and other places where guests of the country gather are being targeted. Desperate travelers claim that the southern regions of the country are relatively safe, you just need to avoid “hot” spots, don’t get involved in conflicts, don’t stand out from the crowd... But maybe it’s still not worth it?

2. Dangerous Country: South Sudan, Africa

Children, don’t go for a walk in Africa... And definitely avoid South Sudan. The southern part of Sudan became a separate independent state after a referendum in 2011. Before the popular vote, Sudan promised to support any decision of the southerners, but since independence, conflicts between the northern and southern states have not stopped. The danger also comes from the Lord's Resistance Army, a Ugandan nationalist cult group whose bases and strongholds are believed to be located in South Sudan. The Lord's army has become notorious for its repeated cases of child abduction. The tourist will have to carefully think through the route: there are many minefields here. In addition, in case of accidents, a traveler should not rely on local medicine - it is of no different quality in the country.

A man with the South Sudan flag marches on Independence Day

1. Dangerous country: Syria

It is difficult to even imagine who would think of voluntarily going to Syria. As of 2016, the Global Peace Security Index ranks Syria as the most dangerous country in the world. Since the beginning of the conflict between the government of Bashar al-Assad and the opposition in 2011, more than 300 thousand people have been killed here. A fifth of Syria's population (3.9 out of 21.9 million) fled to other countries, and another 7.6 million people were displaced internally from their homes. The international human rights organization Human Rights Watch called the militants' actions a crime against humanity. Governments are advising their citizens in Syria to leave the country immediately. At any moment, airports, roads and other means of communication may be blocked, and there will be no turning back.

Syrian woman with a child in a military conflict zone

1. Safe country: Iceland

Since 2007, Iceland has time and again proven to be the safest country in the world. The small island nation in northern Europe has no army and police officers don't even carry weapons. American international law student Andrew Clark traveled to Iceland twice to collect information for a project about the northern country's low crime rate. There are 0.3 murders for every 100,000 people, and the rate has remained between 0-1.5 for more than ten years. Why is it so safe here? Andrew believes that Iceland's secret is equality: 97% of Icelanders consider themselves middle class, the country is considered the first in the world in women's rights, minority rights are protected here, and there is an almost complete absence of religious conflicts.

Residents of Iceland at a city festival

2. Safe country: Denmark

Crimes of particular gravity are very rare here - the murder rate reaches only 0.8 per 100,000 people. Denmark is safe for tourists - for example, in the capital of the country, Copenhagen, there are no “dangerous” areas. Rates of sexual violence are also low, putting Denmark on the list of countries suitable for women traveling alone. Visitors to the country should only take reasonable safety precautions, such as keeping an eye on things at the famous music festivals in Aarhus. In the countryside, everything is also quiet and calm, but it is worth remembering that the majority of rural residents of Denmark do not speak English, so if something happens, it can be difficult to ask for help.

Spectators at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival

3. Safe country: Austria

Austria is one of the safest countries in the world. The capital of Austria, Vienna ranks sixth in terms of safety out of 215 cities. The murder rate is one per 100,000 people. Tourists can feel safe in both small towns and rural areas, including in nature. You should be wary of pickpocketing here (as, indeed, everywhere else) and theft of bicycles. The latter can be explained quite simply: the difference between bicycle paths is not visible everywhere. Some tourists note unfriendly attitudes towards dark-skinned people, especially in small towns.

4. Safe Country: New Zealand

New Zealand was ranked fourth in the 2016 Global Peace ranking. The country did not lose its leading position in previous years. The island nation also holds the title of being the least corrupt in the world - New Zealanders pride themselves on their relaxed lifestyle, for which they can thank an efficient legal system and a police force they can always turn to. New Zealand is equally safe for traveling around cities and for forays into the wild. True, sometimes you should be careful with the latter: although, unlike neighboring Australia, there are few dangerous and poisonous animals here, parrots love to gnaw plastic from windshield wipers, side mirrors and car doors and can significantly spoil the appearance of the vehicle.

5. Safe Country: Portugal

In a frighteningly short time, several popular tourist destinations have become extremely unsafe: a suicide bombing at Istanbul airport, the shooting of tourists in a Tunisian hotel, and a plane crash in Egypt have turned many travelers away from these countries. Warm European countries appeared on the scene, including Portugal, the fifth safest country in the Global Peace ranking. In Portugal, you can forget about terrorism and crime for a while (1.2 murders per 100 thousand people per year). The most common complaints from tourists are dishonest, rude taxi drivers, pickpockets on public transport and broken, chipped tiles on the main streets of cities.

BOOM Festival in the village of Idanha a Nova

Obtaining a residence permit. The purchase of any real estate guarantees you a residence permit. This document will allow you to stay in the country for an unlimited amount of time.

In Northern Cyprus it is very easy to obtain citizenship - this is the goal of most people who return from vacation there.

It is worth saying that according to Interpol, the crime rate in Northern Cyprus is 5 times lower than in Western Europe. And the reason why Northern Cyprus is not on the list of the safest countries in the world is its status as an unrecognized state. Otherwise, this country is an ideal place to relax and live.

Spain is the most popular resort in the ranking for family holidays

Another popular country among tourists. It’s no joke, more than 50 million people visit the resorts of this country every year. This is the most popular European resort. Such popularity and a large influx of tourists provides appropriate conditions for a comfortable vacation:

Low prices. Spain is the most affordable Western European country for holidays. Almost everyone can afford a vacation on the famous Costa or Barcelona.
At the same time, low prices do not in any way affect quality of services provided. By flying to this country you guarantee yourself positive emotions.
Developed tourist infrastructure. Spain combines everything that a modern tourist loves. You can spend your holiday relaxing on the famous Spanish beaches. Or enrich yourself culturally by visiting local attractions and famous cathedrals. Also, many events are held annually to attract tourists, including the famous Encierro.
Visas. Visas in Spain are somewhat more complicated; after all, this country is a member of the Schengen agreement. Accordingly, in order to visit this wonderful country you will need to apply for a Schengen visa. One of the advantages is that applying for Schengen visa to Spain is quite simple; you just need to provide the embassy with a voucher.

Like any other Western European country, Spain pays a lot of attention to security. So in the general list of countries it is in 18th place, and Barcelona occupies fifteenth place in a similar ranking of cities. It is not surprising that Spain is included in the list of the safest countries in the world in which you can relax in comfort.

We should also pay attention to recent events when Catalonia tried to hold a referendum on independence. This event was received ambiguously throughout the world, but the fact that there were no serious clashes, not to mention casualties among the local population or tourists, is indicative. Which once again speaks of the highest level of security in this country.

Czech Republic - expensive but safe

The Czech Republic is on the list of the safest countries in the world for tourists and for permanent residence. In the latest rankings, this state took sixth place, which is an astonishing result. And if we consider the Czech Republic from the point of view of tourism, then this is a very popular destination in our country, so why does this country take third place in our top? Let's take a closer look:

Prices. Holidays in the Czech Republic are one of the most expensive in Europe. If you want to spend your holiday here comfortably, you will have to spend a decent amount of money.
There is no usual resort holiday here. This country is rich in history, museums and atmosphere. In addition, every year a huge number of tourists come to this country to try the famous Czech beer. If you want to enrich yourself culturally, then this is a great choice.
Service. Our people are not used to European service. No, its quality is at the highest level, but the system itself is very different from the Turkish one. For example, finding hotels with an all-inclusive system is quite problematic. Therefore, if you are used to being on vacation and not caring about anything, then it is better to choose, for example, Northern Cyprus.
Visas. The Czech Republic is also a member country of the Schengen Agreement, but obtaining a visa to this country is much more difficult than to Spain. You will not only need to present vouchers, but also prove your solvency throughout the entire period of stay in this country.

Of course, the Czech Republic can be called the safest country in the world, which annually receives a huge number of tourists, but you will have to pay extra for this security, because this is the most expensive country represented today in our top.

What else should you take care of when going on vacation? 5 rules

Of course, our list of the safest countries in the world to live shows a general trend, but you can’t leave everything to chance, relying on research data. Here's what you need to take care of when going on vacation:

Medical insurance. We are accustomed to relatively free medical care and compulsory insurance. But all over the world, medicine is a very expensive pleasure. Therefore, before departure, you should definitely purchase medical insurance in case of health problems. This is especially true for independent trips, since trips often already include contracts with insurance companies.
Be sure to purchase your return ticket immediately. Again, if you are flying on a package deal, then usually everything is already included. But in the case of independent trips, this must be taken care of in advance. It is also worth knowing that the criterion for obtaining visas to some countries is the presence of this ticket.
Get vaccinated. This is especially true for the exotic countries of Southeast Asia. It will be unpleasant to come down with an unknown illness on the first day of vacation. All over the world, the practice of entering only if you have vaccinations has already been abandoned, but in any case, this is in your interests.
Protection from pickpockets. If we talk about security throughout the world, then in the countries presented above it is at the highest level. But you need to understand that huge flows of tourists attract petty pickpockets and scammers. Therefore, you should not store money and documents in accessible places. Many hotels provide safes for such needs.
Do not leave the resort areas. To a greater extent, this applies to countries with not the most prosperous economies. As a rule, in resort towns, security is at the highest level, but in other parts of the state everything may not be so smooth.

Conclusion

Today we looked at the safest countries in the world for tourists and for living. Of course, this is a very important factor for a comfortable vacation. And if you want to return only with positive emotions, then you should not rush into various adventures. Today in the world the best combination of quality of recreation, price and safety is Northern Cyprus.

Six women were killed in an attack in Hurghada in July. The terrorist attack in the very center of Barcelona killed 15 people. The Coxsackie virus is rampant on the Turkish coast, in hotels in Belek and Kemer, more than 36 Russians have fallen ill. And this is just for a couple of summer months.

But is traveling really that dangerous? Experienced tourists know that holidays abroad can be almost safer than everyday life in their home country. The main reason: you are a tourist, which means you are always on your guard. Remember how many medications you take with you on a trip and how much you carry in your purse to work? A big difference. In addition, in another country you always have medical insurance with you; without it, you are simply not allowed into many countries. And you’ll be more likely to cross the road at a red light at home, rather than in Paris. “What if I run into a big fine?” - you will think. And you'll be right. From ignorance of some customs and rules of the country, fear of dealing with law enforcement agencies, you become more attentive to your behavior.

Holidays abroad are almost safer than everyday life

It is impossible to predict everything - the terrorist threat is real in any country, this is the objective situation of today. But it’s easy to protect yourself from unpleasant surprises.

Before your trip, you should look at what they write about your host city in the news - you can use a regular search engine and read crime news for the last week. If the city is not known for any crime or terrorism, then this increases the chances of a safe trip. In Europe and the USA, ratings of more and less safe countries for tourists are compiled. Of course, such lists are subjective, but they are worth a look. As an expert in the field of tourist security with experience in special services told RG, the entire Middle East is colored red on the American and European scale and it is better not to go there for tourism purposes. The safest place is in Scandinavia. There is another rating - the World Economic Forum has compiled a list of countries for 2017 where tourists can feel calm. In first place is Finland, in last place, 136th, is distant Colombia. Also, before your trip, it is worth studying the recommendations of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for visiting certain countries - all of them are posted on the Rostourism website.

According to WHO, most road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. These include Thailand, beloved by many travelers, and less popular, at least with us, Africa. So be careful and check the condition of the car before driving away from the rental office.

Crowded places, processions, and holidays are potentially dangerous. Today it is better to avoid them. And just when walking along the streets, don’t dress too flashy - by blending in with the crowd, you are less likely to become a victim of scammers.

Will you invite me to visit?

Student Alina from Yekaterinburg left an advertisement on the website of a popular hospitality exchange network: “We are traveling from Yekaterinburg to warmer regions along the route: Ufa - Samara - Volgograd - Rostov-on-Don - Krasnodar. We will be grateful for the warm welcome, you will have a place on the floor, on the rug (bring rugs with you), from us - help around the house and sincere conversations over evening tea." As she says, she has no fear of such an overnight stay, it’s an adventure, and the young man persuaded him: “And it doesn’t require any special expenses, for which you need to work for a whole month.”

The international hospitality exchange network, or couchsurfing, is definitely not for those who spend a very long time choosing a hotel, meticulously looking through photos on all possible sites and reading all published reviews. A complete stranger is ready to offer you his home for free. You come to him, but do not expect luxury apartments - as a rule, you have to sleep on a folding bed in the walk-through room, cook in the same kitchen with the owner of the house. Couchsurfing will help you look at the country through the eyes of locals - who better than them knows where the most delicious seafood is, where the best coffee is brewed, and when is the best time to go to a museum to avoid the crowds. There are many disadvantages - you need to spend time looking for good hosts, spend energy on communication when you don’t really want to after a tiring walk around the city, and the conditions of your stay will not always be ideal. Despite the fact that in the 10 years of the network’s existence there have been only a few cases of crime, it is still worth taking precautions.

Make requests in advance, preferably 3-4 weeks in advance.

Be sure to read reviews about the owner - if there is information on the site that he promised to shelter and disappeared, then it is better to forget about it. At least 20 positive reviews inspire confidence.

It is best for single women not to write to men whose profile resembles the one left on a dating site.

When you write a personal request to the owner, ask him to tell you as much as possible about himself.

Most people who are ready to provide shelter to a stranger themselves love hiking and traveling. Therefore, it is useless to look for someone in July in Irkutsk - everyone is on Lake Baikal. So in the summer it is better to plan your check-in on weekdays, as there are more chances of success.

And most importantly. "If you're nervous about hosting or meeting someone, don't date," advises one popular network. All responsibility lies entirely with you. The networks themselves are not responsible for your choice.

Clearly