The Impact of Terrorism on Tourism: Pilot Study 2007–2017: (Case Study of Jordan, Egypt, Spain and France)

Abstract

This study discusses the impact of terrorism on tourism from a hypothesis that whenever certain indicators on the Global Scale of Terrorism increase, tourism rates decline. In other words, the escalation of terrorism in a country leads to a decline in its tourist numbers, financial revenue from tourism and the percentage of jobs provided by the tourism sector. The scientific significance of the study is in providing explanatory theorems about the relationship between terrorism and tourism on the one hand, as it endeavors to provide explanatory theorems about various methods, means and measures taken by the countries of the case study to avoid the potential impact of terrorism on their tourism industries, particularly as tourism is one of the most important sources of income for many countries, including the Arab countries. This study uses comparative methodology, case study methodology and quantitative description methodology. The study shows the validity of its premise by conducting a pilot test on the impact of terrorism on several countries in a case study: France, Spain, Egypt and Jordan. The study concludes that, despite the negative impact of terrorism on tourism in the countries in this case study, hidden variables were found that could reduce the negative impact of terrorism on tourism through governmental intervention, such as the programs of diplomatic attraction and promotion, as seen in some countries like France and Jordan, which contributed to the reduction of the negative impact of terrorism on tourism.