Finland: The World’s First Phone-Free Tourist Island
Technology is part of our everyday lives. Many people find it impossible to put their phone down even on holiday. However, with studies hinting at a link between social media use and depression, it's always a good idea to think about our relationship with our mobile devices.
Taking a break from the digital world is thus one of the most popular methods to travel in 2023.
An island in Finland is giving travellers the ultimate digital break by creating the world’s first phone-free tourist zone.
Travellers visiting the small island of Ulko-Tammio in Finland will be asked to keep their mobile devices in their pockets this summer.
“The island of Ulko-Tammio, which is located off the coast of Hamina, will be a phone-free area this summer,”
“We want to urge holidaymakers to switch off their smart devices and to stop and genuinely enjoy the islands.”
Mats Selin, from the Visit Kotka-Hamina tourism board.
The site, which is part of the Eastern Gulf national park, is uninhabited by people and travellers are able to stay overnight in cabins or tents. The new voluntary guidelines regarding phone usage are designed to give visitors the opportunity to focus on nature.
The destination also provides travellers with plenty of nature-driven activities, such as hiking trails around the rocky shoreline and climbing the bird-watching towers to observe the island’s rare flora and fauna.
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Digital Detox
In the digital age, sharing your holiday activities on social media might feel more important than simply enjoying the moment. Experts say that a digital detox can have significant health benefits.
Unplugging may be just what you need to get away from the never-ending scrolling of social media and the constant stream of breaking news alerts and emails.
Travel insurance site InsureMyTrip compared multiple travel destinations in four main categories such as relaxation, activities, safety and access to the Internet.
The cities were ranked on factors including average travel time, spa ratings, population density, percentage of residents near car-free zones and park ratings.
Here are the top 10 Best Travel Destinations for a Digital Detox
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Rome, Italy
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Marrakech, Morocco
- Hong Kong
- Dubai, UAE
- Madrid, Spain
- Stockholm, Sweden
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