New research from Dr Kris Ivanovski highlights the critical role energy security plays in shaping global tourism.
“Tourism accounts for around 10 per cent of the world’s total economic activity and is highly sensitive to uncertainty,” Dr Ivanovski explains. “Energy security risks, such as supply disruptions, price volatility and geopolitical tensions, can increase travel costs and reduce disposable income, making people less likely to travel.”
Dr Ivanovski’s study analysed data from 61 countries between 1995 and 2018, examining how changes in energy security risk affect international tourism.
He found that higher energy security risk significantly reduces international tourism. This impact also extends beyond visitor numbers, influencing not just how much people travel, but how much they spend.
Dr Ivanovski says the findings underscore the importance of stable energy systems in supporting tourism performance.
His next steps will extend this research to inform policy discussions, particularly in tourism‑dependent economies where energy stability is vital to the sector’s resilience and growth.
