Tourism is a major source of revenue for many countries across the globe, employing millions of people and helping to drive the economy in places that don't necessarily have very many other resources. So, when the travel sector takes a down turn for one reason or another, it can leave countless people without an income, and cause already poor countries to struggle even further. Right now, there are a number of destinations where this is happening, and by going there we can help ease the burden to a degree.
Here are five such places you may want to consider adding to your list for the near future.
Nepal
Nepal is definitely a country that relies heavily on visitors to keep its economy running. Typically, each spring and fall, hosts of adventure travelers and mountaineers descend on the Asian country to go hiking and climbing in the High Himalaya.
But this past spring a devastating earthquake rocked the region, killing more than 9000 people, and destroying whole villages in the process. Since that time, the country has been struggling to get back on its feet, and while great strides have been made to return to normalcy, there are some areas that are still in the rebuilding process. As the fall trekking season begins, foreign visitors are in short supply, leaving trekking routes empty and the traditional teahouses vacant.
Travel Options: Hike to Everest Base Camp or Trek the Spectacular Annapurna Circuit
East Africa
The 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa has left the travel industry on the entire continent in shambles. Despite the fact that the outbreak occurred thousands of miles away, and there were no reported cases in the region, East Africa in particular continues to struggle.
Kenya and Tanzania are two of the most popular safari destinations in the world, and yet many guides remain without work, and safari lodges are offering steep discounts in an attempt to attract travelers. Things are slowly starting to improve there, but it has been a long struggle to overcome the perception that all of Africa is threatened by the disease.
Travel Options: Safari on the Serengeti or Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro
Egypt
The tourism sector in Egypt first took a hit with the economic downturn of 2008, which was followed two years later by the Arab Spring. For months after the uprising the country went through a period of unrest, while several factions vied for power there. Now, things are stable and safe, and yet visitors have been slow to return. In fact, most Nile cruise ships now sit at their docks waiting to resume their river voyages once again. Similarly, famous tourist sites like the Pyramids and Sphinx see only a fraction of the visitors they once did, which is helping to create an economic crisis. In 2010, the Egyptian tourism industry generated $12.5 billion in revenue. By 2014 that number had dropped to just $5.9 billion.
Travel Options: Take a classic tour of Egypt or an extended one
Greece
Greece's economic woes over the past few years are well known, and the country continues to struggle with overcoming crippling debt and a difficult bailout from its European neighbors. About 20% of the country's GDP comes from the tourism sector, which had been growing modestly until the recent influx of migrants fleeing Syria and other embattled nations in the Middle East. Now, the travel sector is slowing down as visitors look to avoid the refugees by going elsewhere. If Greece is ever to see its economic fortunes rebound, it will need to lure visitors back once again.
Travel Options: Hiking and paddling the Cyclades Islands or taking a Greek bike tour.
Cuba
After more than 50 years, Cuba is finally reopening to American visitors, and it couldn't come at a better time. The country is approaching a crossroads in which its aging leadership will soon go away, and helping the island nation join the 21st century will be essential to its future. But beyond that, travelers visiting Cuba will help bridge a cultural gap that has formed between that country and the U.S., allowing the once friendly nations to come together once again. But you may want to go now, before things start to change. Once outside economic investors start to arrive on the scene, the quaint Cuban lifestyle could be altered dramatically.
Travel Options: Discover Cuba's people and culture with Nat Geo
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