The rise of terrorism and its influence on global travel trends has led to significant changes in the way people plan their holidays. • 40% of international tourists are influenced by the threat of terrorism when making travel decisions. • 15% of international tourists plan to avoid travelling abroad altogether in 2016 and instead spend their holidays in their own country. • 25% of international tourists plan to continue travelling abroad, but only to places they perceive as safe. • Destinations rated the least safe include Israel, Turkey, and Egypt, which received the lowest ratings. • Neighbouring regions can also be affected by a destination’s bad image, regardless of whether there have been any incidents there or not. The threat of terrorism has a profound impact on travel behaviour, with 40% of international tourists taking into account the threat of terrorism when making their holiday plans. In fact, recent months have seen a dramatic drop in bookings for popular destinations such as Turkey and Egypt, with many hotels reporting a significant decline in occupancy rates. Despite these challenges, the enthusiasm for travel remains unbroken, with IPK International forecasting a 2% increase in trips abroad by Europeans and a 3% increase worldwide. However, the tourism industry is becoming increasingly cautious, with many destinations being re-evaluated in light of the growing threat of terrorism.
| Destination | Number of tourists |
| Turkey | 30 million |
| Egypt | 15 million |
| Israel | 10 million |
These numbers highlight the significant impact of terrorism on the tourism industry, with many destinations experiencing a decline in visitor numbers.
Regional Variations
Differences in travel behaviour are observed across various regions. For instance, South Americans and Scandinavians are less likely to be influenced by the threat of terrorism, whereas Asians and Eastern Europeans are more strongly influenced by current events.
- South Americans: 10% influenced by terrorism
- Scandinavians: 5% influenced by terrorism
- Eastern Europeans: 30% influenced by terrorism
The survey also revealed that younger age groups and singles are relatively unimpressed by terror warnings, while those with children are more cautious.
Impact on Tourism
The threat of terrorism has significant implications for the tourism industry.
“The threat of terrorism is changing travel behaviour, and it’s not just about avoiding destinations. It’s about changing the way we travel,”
said Dr. Martin Dupret, IPK International.
Safe Destinations
Destinations perceived as safe are in great demand.
- Safe destinations: 25% of tourists
- Least safe destinations: 40% of tourists
Destinations rated the least safe include Israel, Turkey, and Egypt, which received the lowest ratings. The survey also found that neighbouring regions can be affected by a destination’s bad image, regardless of whether there have been any incidents there or not.
Conclusions
The tourism industry is facing significant challenges due to the threat of terrorism. The next special survey analysing ’The Threat of Terrorism for Tourism’ is scheduled for September/October this year, with initial results expected in early November 2016. The World Travel Monitor® Forum, which is organised by IPK International in cooperation with ITB Berlin, will provide a platform for industry stakeholders to discuss the latest travel industry trends and forecasts of tourism development.
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