Riskiest place to go on holiday next year has been revealed

While many of us are already sick of winter and planning our next getaway for 2023, it may be good to know the not-so-safe spots to plan for your holiday next year.

International SOS, a health and security services firm, have developed an interactive map to alert prospective travellers and holiday-takers to the more dangerous locations to visit.

The International SOS has used global analysis on a plethora of key issues including an approximation of the population who suffer with mental health issues, terrorism threats and Covid protocols to develop the security map.

Travel Risk Map

The security risk map uses a colour-coded system to rate each given location across five categories: insignificant, low, medium, high and extreme.

The key explains: "The security risk rating evaluates the threat posed to employees by political violence (including terrorism, insurgency, politically motivated unrest and war), social unrest (including sectarian, communal and ethnic violence) as well as violent and petty crime."

It continues: "Other factors, such as the robustness of the transport infrastructure, the state of industrial relations, the effectiveness of the security and emergency services and the country’s susceptibility to natural disasters are also considered where they are of sufficient magnitude to impact the overall risk environment for employees."

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The data suggests that one of the biggest changes since the map that was produced for 2021 is the change in security risk of Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

According to the official government website, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against all travel to Ukraine.

It warns: "The Russian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing, with attacks against a number of major cities, including Kyiv. Several towns and cities in southern and eastern Ukraine are temporarily under Russian control. There is a real risk to life."

According to the International SOS map, nearby European countries do not pose the same risk levels.

In fact, the data shows that all six of the world's safest countries reside in Europe with the likes of Norway, Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Switzerland and Iceland all categorised as an "insignificant" security risk.

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This outlines that the locations' "Rates of violent crime are very low. There is no significant political violence or civil unrest and little sectarian, communal, racial or targeted violence against foreigners.

"Security and emergency services are effective and infrastructure is sound. Transport services are of a high standard with good safety records and only occasional travel disruption. Industrial action affecting essential services is rare."

The likes of popular holiday destinations Australia and Morocco are dubbed as "low risk", Cancun in Mexico is classed as "medium risk" while Haiti has been categorised as "high risk" due to the social unrest.

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As for the "extreme risk" category, the International SOS suggest that both Yemen and Afghanistan are dangerous places to visit for a holiday.

The "extreme risk" category outlines that this is when "Government control and law and order may be minimal or non-existent across large areas.

"Serious threat of violent attacks by armed groups targeting travellers and international assignees. Government and transport services are barely functional. Large parts of the country are inaccessible to foreigners."

You can find out more about the International SOS map here.