Press release, 15 July 2025

Manila, 15 July 2025 — Following strong reactions from Filipino citizens, media, and institutions in response to our recent global travel safety ranking, HelloSafe has decided to suspend the publication of said ranking as of June 20, 2025, pending a full audit of the methodology and criteria used in its creation. 

We wish to express our sincere regrets for the misunderstanding and negative perception that may have resulted from this publication. Our intent was never to stigmatize any country — including the Philippines — but rather to provide travellers with a broad, data-informed perspective on various travel-related safety factors. These included not only societal risks, but also natural hazard exposure, health infrastructure, and other complex dimensions that extend beyond the notion of “danger.”

In response to the concerns raised, we have taken the following actions:

1. We have removed the content titled “The Philippines, Colombia, and Mexico Emerge as the 3 Least Safe Countries in the World in 2024” from our website and other associated platforms.

2. This public statement serves as a formal apology and rectification.

3. We are currently undertaking a comprehensive review of our methodology to ensure future publications are fact-checked, contextualized, and based on credible, transparent sources. 

We would also like to reiterate our deep respect for the Philippines and its people. In our view, the Philippines remains a remarkable travel destination, rich in culture, natural beauty, and hospitality. The country’s position in the lower tier of the suspended ranking was primarily due to natural risks such as typhoons and earthquakes, which are beyond the control of any nation and in no way reflect on the quality of its people, government, or institutions.

We extend our apologies to the Filipino community for the confusion and distress this may have caused. HelloSafe is committed to promoting safe, informed, and respectful travel, and we will work diligently to ensure that all future content reflects these values with greater clarity and sensitivity.