Afghanistan
Afghanistan stands as one of the most challenging places for tourism in 2025. Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, the country has been marked by instability and widespread security threats. The U.S. State Department maintains a strict warning against all travel to Afghanistan, citing risks of terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest. According to the World Bank, Afghanistan’s GDP shrank by an alarming 20% in 2021, and recovery is still out of reach as infrastructure continues to crumble. Since 2020, visitor numbers have dropped by over 90%, and it’s nearly impossible to find foreign tourists wandering the country’s historic sites. The lack of reliable services, such as hotels and transportation, adds another barrier for would-be adventurers. Reports from 2024 and 2025 confirm that the situation is not improving, and basic safety cannot be guaranteed. For most travelers, Afghanistan is simply off the map for the foreseeable future.
Syria
Syria remains deeply affected by ongoing conflict more than a decade after the civil war began. The United Nations recently reported that over 13 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian aid, and millions have been displaced internally and abroad. Governments such as the UK and Canada strongly urge their citizens not to visit, warning of high risks from violence and terrorism. Tourism in Syria has nearly evaporated, with a devastating 95% drop in visitors since hostilities flared in 2011. Ancient landmarks that once drew crowds now sit empty and damaged. The country’s infrastructure—roads, airports, and hotels—remains in disrepair, making travel difficult and dangerous. As of 2024, the situation remains unchanged, with ongoing fighting and unpredictable security. For anyone considering a trip, Syria is one of the least likely destinations to open its doors soon.
Venezuela
Venezuela’s economic crisis continues to worsen, causing chaos for residents and making it a no-go zone for most tourists. Hyperinflation, food and medicine shortages, and regular power outages have become a daily reality. The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory, and warnings from other countries echo the same urgency. Since 2015, tourist arrivals have plummeted by over 80%, according to regional tourism data. The International Monetary Fund projected in 2023 that Venezuela’s economy would remain deeply troubled, with no sign of recovery by 2025. Crime rates are high, and infrastructure—once a point of pride in Caracas and beyond—has fallen into disrepair. Even Venezuela’s famed natural wonders, from Angel Falls to the Caribbean coast, are now largely inaccessible to outsiders. As a result, the country continues to slip off the international tourism radar.
North Korea
North Korea has always been a mysterious and tightly controlled destination, but the past few years have made visiting nearly impossible. The government allows only a handful of foreign visitors each year, and all travel is monitored closely by state-appointed guides. Since 2023, North Korea has kept its borders closed over health and security concerns, and as of 2025, there’s been no sign of reopening. Travel advisories from the U.S. and other nations stress the risk of arbitrary detention and warn that basic freedoms are nonexistent for visitors. Estimates suggest that tourist numbers have dropped by more than 90% since 2019. Even before the border closures, travel was strictly regulated, but now, the barriers are almost absolute. With no clear plan for reopening, North Korea remains one of the world’s most isolated countries for travelers.
Iran
Iran has found itself increasingly isolated due to international sanctions and rising political tensions, particularly with Western countries. The U.S. and several European countries have issued strong travel warnings, citing risks of arbitrary detention and political unrest. In 2024, the U.S. State Department reported tourism to Iran had dipped by about 70% compared to pre-2019 levels. The country’s once-thriving hospitality sector has suffered, with dwindling numbers of foreign guests in hotels and historic sites. Ongoing protests and government crackdowns have further discouraged tourism. These issues have also made it harder for visitors to get visas and travel safely. As of 2025, the situation remains tense, and most governments still advise against travel, making Iran an unlikely choice for tourists in the near future.
Yemen
Yemen is currently experiencing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, a fact highlighted in every recent international report. Ongoing civil conflict, famine, and disease outbreaks define daily life. The U.S. State Department and other agencies have a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory in place, warning of extreme risks from terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest. Tourism has essentially vanished, with a 95% or greater decline in visitors since the conflict escalated in 2015. Roads, airports, and public services are in shambles, making even basic travel dangerous. Aid workers and journalists are often the only foreigners present, and even they face significant risks. The situation remains unchanged in 2024 and 2025, and the prospect of Yemen reopening to tourism seems almost unimaginable.
Libya
Libya’s decade-long crisis has left the country in a state of near-anarchy. Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, rival governments and militias have fought for control, keeping the country unstable and unsafe. The U.S. State Department continues to advise against all travel, warning of high risks of kidnapping, terrorism, and armed conflict. Tourism figures have collapsed, with an 80% drop in visitors since 2010. Once-popular destinations like Leptis Magna and Tripoli are now mostly off-limits to outsiders. Most international flights and travel services have been suspended, leaving the country virtually closed off. As of 2025, there is little hope for improvement, and Libya remains a no-go zone for travelers.
Central African Republic
The Central African Republic (CAR) has been mired in violence and instability for over a decade. Armed groups control large parts of the country, and the risk of kidnapping, armed conflict, and crime is very high. The U.S. State Department and several other governments have issued Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisories. According to humanitarian reports, visitor numbers have dropped by over 90% since conflict erupted in 2013. Infrastructure is minimal, with poor roads, unreliable utilities, and limited access to healthcare or emergency services. The humanitarian crisis continues, with conflict and displacement affecting millions. As of 2024, conditions have not improved, and few, if any, tourists venture into the country. The CAR remains an unlikely destination for international travelers.
