Well-loved for its ski slopes and magnificent snow-covered vistas, Switzerland has overtaken Iceland to become the number one travel destination for thrill seekers in an annual review by The Adventure Travel Trade Association.
Factoring in infrastructure, safety, sustainability policies, natural resources and adventure activity resources, the third annual Adventure Travel Development Index (ADTI) ranked 195 countries on their adventure-inspiring attributes. Of all developed countries, Iceland came second only to Switzerland, while New Zealand earned third place, Canada fourth and Germany fifth.
Of developing countries, the top five positions were awarded to Israel first, followed by Slovak Republic, Chile, Estonia and the Czech Republic.
The United Kingdom, Australia, Luxembourg, Denmark and Spain – last year’s notables – dropped out altogether.
Conducted in partnership with George Washington University and Vital Wave Consulting, the study uncovered a few surprise findings: the U.S. ranked in just 21st place due to poor health and humanitarian scores, while the most improved adventure destination is Cape Verde, which leapt from 122 place in 2009 to 44th this year.