Global Tourism Takes Hit After Recent Terror Attacks

The July terrorist attack in Nice that killed 84 people has had a major impact on global tourism. Travelers are now afraid no place is safe,as the attack occurred on a family-friendly boardwalk popular with visitors from around the world.

“It was a watershed moment,” said luxury consultant Milton Pedraza in an NBC News article. “You thought it was just capitals and where those guys live and congregate, now it’s everywhere.”

The uptick in terrorist attacks targeting European tourist destinations has led to double-digit loses for the travel industry; global tourism spending was down 14 percent in June.

Apart from the immediate after-effects of the Nice attack, including multiple cancelations across different sectors, tourists are canceling or changing travel plans to avoid places recently attacked.

Egypt, France, Tunisia, and Turkey — all of which have been recent targets by terrorists — have seen their visitor numbers plummet from 11 to 20 percent after attacks.

That’s led to the travel industry implementing strategies to lure visitors back, including instituting steep discounts. Around Europe, hotels are lowering prices by 20 percent, for example.

However, these destinations have reason to hold out hope. History shows visitor numbers rebound eventually.