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Travel and tourism is huge business.

It constitutes 10% of global GDP and one in 10 jobs on the planet, according to the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017 .

As part of that report they ranked countries in terms of how dangerous they are to tourists and businesses. The list doesn't take into account petty crime and instead focuses on security risks related to serious harm (violence and terrorism).

There are 136 countries on the list - Finland is ranked the safest with a score of 6.7. But these are the 20 most dangerous. Countries like Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq are not included - the report has historically concentrated on major, then emerging, economies.

20. Democratic Republic of Congo

Score 4

(Image: AP/John Bompengo)

The DRC receives over 190,00 tourists per year and they are very likely to come across armed men. The Congolese military are active throughout the country as well as other arms groups and banditry.

19. Thailand

Score 4

(Image: iStockphoto)

A favourite haunt of gap year students and travellers, tourism is a big deal to Thailand.

It receives just under 30 million tourists a year each, spending on average over £1,000.

It is the south of the country which is the most dangerous. The Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla provinces have seen more than 6,500 violence related deaths in the last 13 years and are under martial law.

18. Jamaica





(Image: AP/Collin Reid)



According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) around 200,000 British nationals visited Jamaica in 2015 and most visits were trouble-free.

There are, however, high levels of crime and violence, particularly in the capital, Kingston.

The Foreign Office also say that although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Jamaica, attacks can’t be ruled out.

17. South Africa

Score 3.9

(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Violence is commonplace in much of South Africa. Many locals opt to hire guards or live in gated communites.

Despite this, almost nine million international travellers visit the country every year for its stunning scenery and wildlife.

16. Guatemala

Score 3.7

(Image: Mitch Bennett/Flickr)

It has one of the highest levels of crime in Latin America, especially near the border with Mexico, a drug-trafficking route. Road blocks are frequent and you should carry copies of your ID everywhere.



15. Chad

Score 3.7

(Image: Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images)

The FCO advise against all travel to many areas of Chad. Islamic State are known to be active in the country.

14. Bangladesh

Score 3.7

(Image: AP/AM Ahad)

Bangladeshis are some of the warmest and most welcoming people in the world.

However, the FCO have said terrorists are very likely to carry out attacks in the country with Islamic State and Al Qaeda active in the region.

13. Mali

Score 3.6

(Image: AP)

Home of the ancient city of Timbuktu, Mali is particularly dangerous in its northern and central areas. Hostages have been taken and killed at a hotel in the capital Bamako in 2015.

12. Lebanon

Score 3.6

(Image: AP/Hussein Malla)

There are multiple extremist groups in the country with the most dangerous areas along the Syrian border.

The long running civil war tearing Syria apart has made Lebanon less stable.

11. Philippines

Score 3.6

(Image: Jes Aznar/Getty Images)

There has been an increase in kidnapping recently, with tourists a common target since late 2015.

There is currently an armed conflict between government forces and militants in Marawi City.

10. Ukraine

Score 3.5

(Image: AP)

Anyone not living underground will be aware of the issues in eastern Ukraine over the last few years.

Having already lost the Crimean peninsula to Russian neighbours there is ongoing fighting in the east with separatists.

9. Honduras

Score 3.5

(Image: Yamil Gonzales/Flickr)

It's a beautiful country - but Honduras boasts one of the highest murder rates in the world.

There are also high rates of violence and drug trafficking.

8. Kenya

Score 3.4

(Image: Publicity Picture)

With stunning wildlife and culture, Kenya should be on everyone's bucket list.

However, threats from terrorists groups like Al Shabaab are a real risk. The border with Somalia is to be avoided at all costs. The country is safer inside the national parks.

7. Egypt

Score 3.3

(Image: AP)

There is no FCO advice against travel to Cairo, Alexandria, the tourist areas along the Nile river (including Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings) and the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada.

This is lucky as tourism is huge for the county with the 9 million visitors spending over $6,000 on average per trip.

However, Islamic State and other group are posing an increasing threat and have been known to target transport.

6. Venezuela

Score 3.3

(Image: AP/Ariana Cubillos)

Violence is all too common in the land of Simon Bolivar. Armed robbery, murder and carjacking are commonplace.

This is on top of shortages of basics like food and medicine.

5. Nigeria

Score 3.1

(Image: AP/Lekan Oyekanmi)

Africa's most populous country (almost three times that of the UK) has two very dangerous terrorist groups operating inside it.

Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa are well known for targets crowded public places. Schools, restaurants and hotels have all been targeted.

4. Pakistan

Score 3.1

(Image: Daily Record/ PHIL DYE)

With a volatile neighbour in Afghanistan, terrorism and violence are a real threat in Pakistan.

There are limitations on free speech with minority religious groups often the targets of attacks.

3. El Salvador

Score 3

(Image: Jose Herrera/Flickr)

According to the FCO "most visits to El Salvador are trouble free. However, El Salvador has one of the highest crime rates in Latin America so you should take extra care". It adds: "Take particular care in downtown San Salvador and on roads outside major towns and cities at night."

2. Yemen

Score 2.8

(Image: AP/Hani Mohammed)

Yemen is in dire circumstances and its people face horrors every day. Bombings and a lack of basics like food, water or medicine make it one of the most dangerous places in the world.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice is clear: "We advise against all travel to Yemen. This includes the mainland and all islands. If you’re in Yemen, you should leave immediately.

"The British government can’t provide any form of assisted departure to British nationals in Yemen. There are no evacuation procedures in place, in line with the FCO’s longstanding policy on assistance in Yemen. The FCO has been consistently advising against all travel to Yemen and for UK nationals to leave Yemen since March 2011."

1. Colombia

Score 2.6

(Image: Tijs Zwinkels/Flickr)

It's not as dangerous as it once was - but the drugs trade continues to afflict the country with kidnappings and explosions far from rare.

Armed gangs are responsible for kidnappings, drug trafficking and robberies all over Colombia, and there are still acts of terrorism. An improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in the Andino Shopping Centre in the capital Bogota on June 17.