Comprehensive Safety Analysis Names Singapore as the Least Dangerous for Tourists
When travelers plan their next trip, they consider factors like weather, accommodation costs, local activities, and transport options. However, safety is a critical aspect, albeit harder to measure. A recent ranking by Forbes Advisor has named Singapore as the world’s least dangerous destination for tourists.
Impact of political instability and terrorism on tourism
Political instability and terrorist attacks are known deterrents for tourism. In 2015, Tunisia’s tourism sector suffered a devastating blow from the Sousse terrorist attack, resulting in estimated losses of €450 million due to vacation cancellations. This incident compounded the economic damage Tunisia was already facing from the Jasmine Revolution. Between 2010 and 2015, the number of foreign tourists fell from 7 million to 5 million annually.
Research methodology and findings
Forbes Advisor’s research, focusing on security aspects, is invaluable for travelers seeking exotic destinations without compromising their safety. The analysis includes metrics such as the US State Department’s travel safety rating, crime risk data from Numbeo, and personal security risk information from The Economist. The research compared 60 destinations worldwide.
Singapore emerged as the safest city destination, scoring 0 out of 100 on the assessed risk level. Tokyo, Japan, and Toronto, Canada, followed closely behind. On the opposite end, Caracas, Venezuela, was deemed the most dangerous, scoring 100 out of 100.
Asia has both the safest and some of the riskiest cities. While Singapore tops the list, Karachi in Pakistan and Yangon in Burma rank second and third in terms of danger, with scores of 93.12 and 91.67, respectively.
In contrast, Europe is generally considered safe. The first European cities to appear on the riskiest list are Milan (26th) and Rome (28th) in Italy, with Paris, France, ranking 31st. Meanwhile, cities like Zurich, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam are among the world’s safest.
Top 10 riskiest cities for tourists:
- Caracas, Venezuela
- Karachi, Pakistan
- Yangon, Burma
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Manila, Philippines
- Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Bogotá, Colombia
- Cairo, Egypt
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Quito, Ecuador
Top 10 safest cities for tourists:
- Singapore
- Tokyo, Japan
- Toronto, Canada
- Sydney, Australia
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Seoul, South Korea
- Osaka, Japan
- Melbourne, Australia
- Amsterdam, Netherlands