KARACHI: A new study has placed Pakistan’s economic hub, Karachi, in the unenviable position of being the second most dangerous city in the world for tourists.
The ranking, released by Forbes Advisor, evaluated 60 global cities based on factors including crime rates, healthcare quality, and susceptibility to natural disasters, as reported by CNBC.
While Singapore topped the list as the safest city, with a perfect score of zero, Caracas, Venezuela, claimed the dubious distinction of being the most perilous. Karachi followed closely behind, raising serious concerns about the safety of visitors.
Forbes Advisor highlighted Karachi’s alarmingly high personal security risk, as well as its fourth-highest infrastructure security rating. The US State Department has echoed these concerns, issuing a Level 3 travel advisory for Pakistan, urging citizens to reconsider travel due to “terrorism” and “ongoing violence.”
The study ascribed safety scores from 0 to 100, with the safest cities receiving the lowest scores. Singapore emerged as the safest city with a score of 0, followed by Tokyo and Toronto in second and third places, respectively.
Top 10 safest cities for tourists
- Singapore
- Tokyo, Japan
- Toronto, Canada
- Sydney, Australia
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Seoul, South Korea
- Osaka, Japan
- Melbourne, Australia
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Top 10 dangerous cities for tourists
Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, emerged as the most dangerous city, scoring a full 100 points. The British Foreign Office advises against traveling to certain regions of Venezuela.
Karachi, Pakistan, was ranked second dangerous city due to significant terrorist threats, while Yangon, Myanmar, placed third with 91.67 points, reflecting high risks of data theft and substandard medical services.
- Caracas, Venezuela – 100 points;
- Karachi, Pakistan – 93.12 points;
- Yangon, Myanmar – 91.67 points;
- Lagos, Nigeria – 91.54 points;
- Manila, Philippines – 91.49 points;
- Dhaka, Bangladesh – 89.5 points;
- Bogota, Colombia – 86.7 points;
- Cairo, Egypt – 83.44 points;
- Mexico City, Mexico – 82.43 points;
- Quito, Ecuador – 82.02 points.
The findings underscore the significant challenges faced by Karachi, a city that has long grappled with issues of crime and security. Despite efforts by the tourism industry to showcase Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage, such reports are likely to deter potential visitors.
The ranking is expected to spark debate and calls for improved security measures in Karachi. As the city strives to enhance its global image, addressing these critical issues will be paramount.
