Hundreds murdered in France and Belgium. Greek and Italian islands overwhelmed with refugees. A mosquito-borne virus spreading from Rio de Janeiro to South Beach.
A tumultuous 2016 forced many Canadians to re-evaluate their travel plans. Here’s a look at how world events are impacting where tourists are heading.
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Scandinavia
France, Belgium and Turkey were the three European countries that experienced declines in visitors in the first nine months of 2016, according to the UN World Tourism Organization.
The reason was headline-grabbing terrorist attacks, including the Bastille Day assault on Nice that killed 80 in July, the bombings of Brussels’ airport and subway that took 35 lives in March and the explosions at Istanbul’s airport that left 36 dead in June.
Those fears are causing many choose Denmark, Sweden and Norway for fix of European charm. Travel to Scandinavia was up six per cent jump in the first nine months of 2016.
Spain and Portugal
Italy and Greece saw little to no growth in tourism in the first nine months of 2016, while Spain and Portugal saw double-digit increases.
One reason: Spain and Portugal offer the same Mediterranean climate, cultural experiences and abundant food and wine as Italy and Greece but without an ongoing migrant crisis.
Nearly all of the 350,000 migrants who arrived in Europe by sea in 2016 have shown up on the shores of either Greece or Italy, where the humanitarian crisis has overwhelmed tourist towns.
A couple enjoys the view from the top of Lisbon's 1902 Santa Justa lift, on Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
Chile and Uruguay
Zika virus, which causes some babies to be born with deformed brains, spread to at least 58 countries in 2016.
Almost all of the most popular sun destinations in the western hemisphere are affected, causing potential parents and other cautious Canadians to avoid places like Cuba, Mexico and Brazil.
But there are a few countries in our hemisphere that are still Zika free, including Chile and Uruguay. Chile, which is protected from Zika-spreading mosquitoes by the Andes Mountains, saw a 28 per cent year-over-year increase in visits the first half of 2016.
A balloon depicting the protagonist of the award-winning animated short "Bear Story", is used to promote an upcoming Christmas parade organized by a local business, in the Plaza de Armas, in downtown Santiago, Chile, on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Canada
With a high U.S. dollar, many Canadians are expected spend their summer vacations exploring other parts of their home and native land.
It’s a good year to stay home: Canada’s 150th birthday means bigger-than-usual July 1st bashes and free entry to all national parks.
Montreal will also be extra exciting in 2017, as it spends $100 million on a year-long 375th birthday party.
Fireworks explode behind the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill during Canada Day celebrations, in Ottawa on Wed., July 1, 2015. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)
