Are dangerous destinations ever worth the risk?

Without a doubt, every country has something worthwhile to offer to the traveller. In some places, though, additional factors concerning safety and security have to be considered, whether the threat of robbery, organised crime groups or even terrorism. But where are the most dangerous places for tourists to venture and are they worth the risk?

Recently, travel website Wegoplaces.me published their ‘Solo Travel Report 2019’, which compiled a list of the ‘Top 10 Riskiest Countries for Solo Travel’. The list is based on data sourced from the Gallup Global Law and Order Report. This asked residents of 142 countries questions on how safe they felt walking alone at night, their confidence in local police and whether they had ever been assaulted or mugged. Each country was given a score out of 100. The lower the score, the lower the proportion of the population reported feeling safe.

Just 24% expressed confidence in their local police force

Ranked as the riskiest place on the list – perhaps unsurprisingly – was Venezuela, with a score of 44. The nation’s scores reflected “a country still in crisis”, as only 17% of residents said they felt safe walking alone at night where they live. Just 24% expressed confidence in their local police force. Also, 42% reported having had property or money stolen in the past year.

The country is currently in the midst of turmoil as, after years of political and social unrest, President Maduro’s leadership was disputed on 23 January by the opposition. Venezuela’s annual inflation rate reached 1,300,000% in the 12 months leading up to November 2018, according to a study by the opposition-controlled National Assembly. As a result, the day-to-day lives of the nation’s citizens have become desperate and the UN reports that three million Venezuelans have left the country since 2014.

As the Solo Travel Report points out, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against all travel within 80 km of the Colombian-Venezuelan border and 40 km of the Brazilian-Venezuelan border. This is due to drug traffickers, illegal armed groups that are active around the nation’s borders and a risk of kidnapping. The crisis gripping the country right now makes it clear that Venezuelan travel is not worth the risk. In fact, the FCO advises against all but essential travel to the remaining areas of Venezuela.

Threats to tourists such as armed robbery, false vehicle checkpoints and even kidnappings are pertinent

With a score of 45, Afghanistan is second on the report’s list of riskiest countries and ranks in the top five least peaceful countries, according to the Global Peace Index 2018. Travel to 23 out of the 34 provinces in the country is advised against and, outside of those, the FCO advises against all but essential travel. The level of consular assistance the British Embassy can provide to travellers in Afghanistan is extremely limited. Threats to tourists such as armed robbery, false vehicle checkpoints and even kidnappings are pertinent, gov.uk says. On top of this is the fact that multiple terror threats are issued daily.

South Sudan, scoring 54, completes the top three riskiest destinations. Like the other two places, South Sudan is not worth the safety risk. The FCO advises against all travel to South Sudan and even says “if you’re in South Sudan, you should leave if it’s safe to do so”. There are daily reports of fighting between armed groups across the country. There is also a high risk of being involved in a traffic accident when using public transport, as many vehicles are unsafe.

Gabon and Liberia are ranked as the next riskiest places to travel to, with scores of 54 and 55 respectively. The report says that most visits to these countries by British nationals are trouble-free. However, UK health authorities have classified Gabon as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. Meanwhile, the government says that terrorists are “likely” to try to carry out attacks in Liberia, so caution should still be exercised.

Just exercise caution, particularly with unlicensed taxis and on public transport

The next riskiest countries are perhaps a bit more surprising as they’re arguably more typical tourist destinations. South Africa, taking sixth place with a score of 58, is known for its safari parks and long beaches, but is also inundated with crime. According to the FCO, most violent crimes happen in townships or remote areas away from typical tourist destinations. Likewise, Mexico, which takes the seventh spot with a score of 58, also has a crime problem and the FCO says that the security situation can pose a risk for travellers. It seems that both nations, though, are still classed as ‘okay’ to visit safety-wise. Just exercise caution, particularly with unlicensed taxis and on public transport.

Rounding off the top ten are the Dominican Republic, Botswana and Sierra Leone, which all, again, are flagged up because of crime incidents. However, on each country’s profile on gov.uk, it is stated that most visits are trouble or incident free.

Solo travel can always be a risk, but it is clear that risks are almost certainties in some places. The top ranked places arguably shouldn’t be travelled to at all, as pointed out by the FCO. However, if you research some of the others extensively, understanding their laws and customs as well as checking the local media, then they can still be safely explored.