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
    • 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

  • Cyber tech background

    Security’s Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2026

    Security magazine’s Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2026 award...
    Security Leadership and Management
  • 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
Manage My Account
  • Security Newsletter
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

Trophy and soccer ball

Security Experts Discuss Threats to FIFA World Cup 2026

Soccer stadium

How the Current Iran-US Conflict May Impact World Cup Security

Hand reaching up out of the ocean

What I Learned About Burnout the Hard Way (and How to Actually Fix it)

Officers at an event

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Will Test Security Operations Like Never Before

Colorful laptop

Organizations Think They Know Who’s Visiting Their Sites. They Don’t.

SEC 2026 Benchmark Banner

Events

July 8, 2026

The 2026 Security Maturity Benchmark Report: Insights From Senior Security Leaders

LIVE: July 8, 2026 at 2 pm EDT In this webinar, speakers will share key insights from the report, including why today’s threat environment demands greater maturity and how to evaluate your organization’s current security posture.

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


Alertmedia sponsored webinar

Related Articles

  • Breach Report Hits Record High in 2014

    See More
  • Global Suicide Terrorism Hits Record High in 2016

    See More
  • Workplace Suicides Hit Record Highs in 2008 and 2009

    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
×

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 ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing