Whether it’s for Stockholm’s Old Town (Gamla Stan), the Northern Lights, or just its smörgåsbord (yes, a Swedish word) of popular culture (think ABBA, IKEA, Volvo, meatballs?), travellers have long been drawn to Sweden. Now, Aussie travellers have yet another reason to consider a holiday to the Scandi nation (or at least to not consider putting one off), after the Australian Government on Thursday (5 June) updated its travel advice level for the country to the lowest level – ‘Exercise normal safety precautions’.
Before today, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) advised Australian travellers to “Exercise a high degree of caution” when travelling to Sweden. That’s now changed.
“We’ve reviewed our travel advice for Sweden and have lowered the overall travel advice level. We now advise ‘exercise normal safety precautions’ overall,” DFAT states on its Smartraveller website.
Despite the new advice level, the government still warns Aussies that terrorism remains a threat in the country and “could occur anywhere and at any time”.
“Sweden’s domestic terror alert is now at ‘elevated’ (level 3 of 5). An elevated threat level still includes the possibility that a terrorist attack could occur,” the Smartraveller site states.
It goes on to say that “while violent incidents are rare in tourist locations, you should still be cautious”.
“Maintain high vigilance in public spaces and take official warnings seriously. Avoid crowds, be aware of your surroundings and stay informed,” it recommends.
“Gathering sites, such as places of worship, could be targeted. Use caution when in and around any diplomatic facilities. Report suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.”
Until now, Sweden had been the only northern European country not at the lowest travel advice level.
In April, DFAT lowered its recommendation for neighbouring Denmark and Germany to the lowest level.
In May, the government also lowered its travel advice for Belgium to the normal safety level.
Late last year, the Swedish city of Gothenburg was named the world’s most sustainable travel destination in the newest Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) index.
