UN Tourism Safe Destinations Challenge

According to a comprehensive report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) , weather, climate, and water-related disasters have increased fivefold between 1970 and 2019, driven by climate change and more frequent extreme weather events. Despite this increase, fatalities have decreased nearly threefold due to advancements in early warning systems, enhanced preparedness and improved disaster management. In Europe, 1,784 disasters attributed to weather, climate and water extremes were reported between 1970 and 2021, with flood-related disasters being the most prevalent. These disasters caused 166 492 deaths and US$ 562.0 billion in economic losses.  

On the other hand, data from UN Tourism shows that geopolitical instability continues to challenge the global tourism recovery in the post-COVID-19 era. For example, ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe have significantly impacted regional travel flows and dampened confidence among major outbound markets, including those in North America and Asia. In 2022 alone, global tourism receipts were estimated to decline by approximately US$14 billion  due to these disruptions.

Similarly, instability in parts of the Middle East has led to substantial reductions in visitor numbers. One destination recorded an 80% year-on-year decline in international arrivals by December 2023, with early forecasts for 2024 suggesting an additional 68%  decrease, largely attributed to the region’s fragile security context.

Research  also highlights that terrorism and insecurity can produce wider ripple effects in tourism through both a substitution effect—where travelers opt for destinations perceived as safer—and a generalization effect, where incidents in one location influence perceptions across broader regions.

Beyond conflict, recent critical infrastructure failures have also underscored tourism's vulnerability. In 2025, parts of Southern Europe—including Spain and Portugal—faced widespread power outages that disrupted services and led to an estimated €1.3 to €4 billion in economic losses in Spain alone . These events not only affected local economies but also raised concerns about the resilience of essential services supporting tourism, from hospitality to transport.

Some recent examples in UN Tourism’s European Region

• COVID-19 Pandemic (2020–21): Unprecedented travel bans and lockdowns led to a collapse in international tourism demand in Europe and worldwide, underscoring the need to integrate public health emergency planning into tourism resilience.
• Valencia, Spain (October 2024): Catastrophic floods resulted in 232 fatalities, marking Spain's deadliest ones in decades. The economic impact exceeded €22 billion, with hotel occupancy dropping from 80.4% to 62.5% within the municipality of Valencia, due to infrastructure disruptions and image concerns..
• Vienna, Austria (August 2024): Austrian authorities foiled a planned terrorist attack targeting a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, arresting three individuals. All three planned concerts were cancelled, leaving thousands of visitors in the city. The Vienna Tourist Board responded creative crisis management—mobilizing city stakeholders to offer free Taylor-themed events and experiences that turned fan disappointment into a celebration of the city, fostering positive visitor sentiment and social media engagement.
• Greece (2023–24): Wildfires in Rhodes (2023) and Attica (2024) forced the evacuation of thousands of tourists and led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and bookings, causing major economic losses to the local hospitality sector.
• Italy (Emilia-Romagna, May 2023): Unprecedented flooding over two weeks, equivalent to seven months of precipitation, led to 17 casualties, the displacement of over 36,000 people, and damages exceeding €8 billion. The floods also forced the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which normally attracts large numbers of international visitors, highlighting cross-sector impacts on tourism.
• Türkiye (February 2023): Türkiye's earthquakes in early 2023, particularly the 7.8 magnitude quake in February, resulted in the temporary collapse of tourism operations in multiple provinces, especially those with heritage sites, triggering travel warnings and further undermining tourism-dependent livelihoods.
• La Palma, Canary Islands (September–December 2021): An 85 days volcanic eruption from September 19 to December 13, 2021, caused significant destruction, including the loss of over 1,300 homes and agricultural areas. The eruption severely impacted the local economy, especially tourism, as infrastructure and accommodations were destroyed, leading to a sharp decline in visitor numbers. Efforts to recover include rebuilding infrastructure and restoring tourism, with a focus on positioning La Palma as a resilient and sustainable destination for future visitors.