Women's safety in the Baltics remains high, study shows

The Baltics are one of the safest regions in the world, concludes the "Women, Peace and Security" (WPS) Index study. Estonia currently ranks 11th in the world, Lithuania holds the 16th position, and Latvia -  in 17th place out of 181 countries.

"Although each country has its own nuances, the Baltics as a region consistently maintains a spot in the Top 20 for women's safety. Safety is our strongest argument when competing with such popular tourist destinations as Spain or France," says Eglė Girdzijauskaitė, Head of Communications at the "Go Vilnius" agency.

The difference between the countries in the region is small, therefore the Baltics as a whole can effectively compete with popular major tourism powers and become the first choice for female solo travelers. The study shows that women choose destinations based on specific quality criteria: cultural offerings, landscape diversity, access to nature, and culinary authenticity.

The study data indicates that women make up 75% of the total number of solo travelers globally, and 70% of them prioritize safety as the main criterion when choosing a destination.

Emotional accessibility - a prerequisite for safety

Safety is not the only factor determining the choice. Survey data shows that interpersonal connection and the openness of locals are becoming a significant value of the trip. Vilnius stands out in this "emotional accessibility" with its "Meet a Local" program, which gives tourists the opportunity to experience the city through the eyes of its residents.

The locals' perspective allows discovering not only classic tourist attractions but also gaining authentic experiences that remain in memory long-term. "We wanted to see places that not many people know about. Arnas took us to courtyards and small streets that we would never visit on our own," says Lasma from Latvia.

"Vilnius is attractive because you can safely travel alone here and not feel lonely, as there are many opportunities to meet locals. 'Meet a Local' allows you to meet locals in a safe way and environment. The locals' perspective of their city provides an opportunity to see not only tourist attractions but also to gain authentic experiences that stay in memory for a long time," says E. Girdzijauskaitė.

The high safety standard and the second place in the ranking of the world's greenest cities make Vilnius the most accessible and peaceful alternative to overcrowded European metropolises. According to a study by the "Travel Lithuania" organization, 29% of Latvian travelers who visit Lithuania indicated safety as one of the main factors that encouraged them to choose the neighboring country for their vacation.

 

ABOUT GO VILNIUS

Go Vilnius is the official tourism and business development agency of the City of Vilnius. The agency provides visitors, investors and businesses with all the essential information about the Lithuanian capital.