Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Career Intelligence
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Interactive Spotlight
    • Photo Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
Security NewswirePhysical Security

World Tourism Numbers Hit Record High in 2015

January 19, 2016

The number of international tourists rose by 4.4 percent worldwide in 2015 to hit a record 1.18 billion despite concerns over terrorism attacks.

A United Nations World Tourism Organization report said that France remained the world’s most popular tourist destination, followed by the United States, Spain and China.

According to the report, falling oil prices reduced transport costs but weakened demand for travel in oil-exporting nations while the weakness in the euro currency made travel to Europe for Americans more attractive.

The U.N. report said 2015 was the sixth consecutive year of above-average growth in global tourism since the economic crisis. It had initially predicted international tourism arrivals would increase by 3 to 4 percent in 2015.

The U.N. report predicts international tourism arrivals will increase by 4 percent in 2016. It forecasts the number of tourists who make an overnight trip abroad will hit 1.4 billion by 2020.

Some destinations did suffer drops in visitor numbers last year due to fears of terrorism, however. The number of international visitors to Tunisia, which was shaken by an attack on the Bardo museum in Tunis followed by one in the resort of Sousse that killed 59 tourists, fell to 5.2 million last year from 7.2 million in 2014.

Tourism arrivals to North Africa overall fell by 8 percent last year. In sub-Saharan African they were down by 1 percent in part due to fears over the outbreak of Ebola.

Europe, the world’s most visited region, Asia and the Pacific, and the Americas all recorded growth of around 5 percent in the number of international arrivals last year.

China was once again the top source country for international tourists, and Chinese travelers were also the biggest spenders last year with China posting double-digit growth in tourism expenditure every year since 2004.

KEYWORDS: safety tourism travel security

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Iintegration and use of emerging tools

    Future Proof Your Security Career with AI Skills

    AI’s evolution demands security leaders master...
    Security Education & Training
    By: Jerry J. Brennan and Joanne R. Pollock
  • The 2025 Security Benchmark Report

    The 2025 Security Benchmark Report

    The 2025 Security Benchmark Report surveys enterprise...
    The Security Benchmark Report
    By: Rachelle Blair-Frasier
  • The Most Influential People in Security 2025

    Security’s Most Influential People in Security 2025

    Security Magazine’s 2025 Most Influential People in...
    Most Influential People in Security
    By: Security Staff
Manage My Account
  • Security Newsletter
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • critical event management
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Why a Unified View Across IT, Continuity, and Security Makes or Breaks Crisis Response

  • Charlotte Star Room
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    In an Uncertain Economy, Security Is a Necessity - Not an Afterthought

  • Sureview screen
    Sponsored bySureView Systems

    The Evolution of Automation in the Command Center

Popular Stories

Red laptop

Security Leaders Discuss SitusAMC Cyberattack

Cybersecurity trends of 2025

3 Top Cybersecurity Trends from 2025

Green code

Logitech Confirms Data Breach, Security Leaders Respond

Neon human and android hands

65% of the Forbes AI 50 List Leaked Sensitive Information

The Louvre

After the Theft: Why Camera Upgrades Should Begin With a Risk Assessment

Top Cybersecurity Leaders

Events

September 18, 2025

Security Under Fire: Insights on Active Shooter Preparedness and Recovery

ON DEMAND: In today’s complex threat environment, active shooter incidents demand swift, coordinated and well-informed responses.

December 11, 2025

Responding to Evolving Threats in Retail Environments

Retail security professionals are facing an increasingly complex array of security challenges — everything from organized retail crime to evolving cyber-physical threats and public safety concerns.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Workplace Suicides Hit Record Highs in 2008 and 2009

    See More
  • Breach Report Hits Record High in 2014

    See More
  • cyber-security

    Record number of critical and high severity vulnerabilities were logged to the NIST NVD in 2020

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • Hospitality Security: Managing Security in Today's Hotel, Lodging, Entertainment, and Tourism Environment

  • 150952519X.jpg

    Intelligence in An Insecure World, 3rd Edition

  • High-Rise Security and Fire Life Safety, 3rd edition

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • May 14, 2012

    19th International Tourism Safety Conference

    Don’t miss this opportunity to join travel and tourism leaders, fire and law enforcement personnel, security professionals, hoteliers, guest claims personnel, public health and other experts from around the world at this year’s conference.
View AllSubmit An Event
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing