From crime to climate change and civil unrest, the issues that keep tourists away

As images of police in riot gear standing toe to toe with laser-wielding protesters continue to be beamed into the world’s living rooms, it’s not surprising that Hong Kong’s tourism industry has taken a hefty hit. However, the risk of getting caught up in conflict is only one of many reasons people cancel holidays or substitute one destination for another.

The 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings show just how precarious an industry tourism can be. The attacks, which killed more than 250 people, prompted an inevitable wave of cancellations. Hotels and beaches emptied overnight and gloomy headlines followed (“Sri Lanka tourist arrivals fall 57% in June”).

A strong currency can be enough to put people off going to some places. Switzerland, Sweden and the Seychelles would all receive a lot more tourists if their currencies were pegged to, say, the Ukrainian hryvnia – although it wouldn’t do much for the rest of their economies. Backpackers on the Asia overland trail are attracted to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia like bees to a value range honeypot but know they’ll be stung by a sturdy Singapore dollar should they visit the Lion City.

And spare a thought for beleaguered Brits as they struggle with the uncertainty of Brexit. Ditching traditional trips to Spain, France and Greece, many are heading instead to Turkey, Tunisia and Bulgaria – countries where they don’t snigger when British tourists exchange their pounds.