Above: Comparative Crime Statistics for homicides alone. Note Canada at 610 and Mexico at 20,585. Also significant is the crime rate per 100,000, which for homicides in Mexico is ten times Canada. The highest rate per 100,000 is Honduras at 82.1%. Statistics from UNODC, 2010 data. More statistics below.

By  Gina Hari

The World keeps getting smaller. Increasing international business means travel around the world is a necessity for Americans. Competitive prices and holiday packages have made travel for pleasure across the globe easier, less costly and accessible to almost everyone.
However, violence rates in popular destinations are holding back many globetrotters from unnecessary travel. The media runs headline after headline detailing atrocities and crimes against the American and Canadian tourists around the world. Statistically, this deters travel, and in consumer surveys often makes the road trip preferable to the exotic location for the more nervous traveler. Crimes against tourists has become a worrisome trend.
Some crimes are not violent, with countless tourists targeted for pick pocketing and  fraud. Relatively fewer crimes involve prostitution, drugs, robberies, rape, crimes against elderly and—a relatively new tourist worry--terrorism.

Recent Tourist-Related Crimes
* Some eighteen tourists, who were happily enjoying a cruise in Bahamas, were accosted with weapons. The criminals left with money and other articles without with causing body harm.
* Mexico consistently makes the big headlines, with a seemingly endless string of homicides and violent crime, but equally prevalent are crimes of extortion, pickpocketing, armed robbery and kidnapping.
* Rome is known for its pickpockets and smooth small time thieves.
* Prague is known for rude Taxi Drivers that charge exorbitant fares and also for pickpockets. There are more violent crimes in certain parts of the city.
* In South Africa, an upward spike in violence, has deterred more than twenty two million tourists, this according to the Prime Minister. There have been many violent crimes committed here like murder and kidnappings and rape.
* Costa Rica and other Central American countries, which draw many due to exotic beauty, have staggeringly high homicide rates. By night, the cities can turn ugly and dangerous.
* India, a very popular destination for its culture and exotic food and history, is trending higher each year in crime on tourists. Petty crime and exorbitant taxi fares are the most common complaints. However, passport crime and other small time scams are rising. Forcible rape is also rising.

Some Tips to Remain Safe
Yes, it all boils down to common sense, which we often abandon in the thrill of the vacation:
* Avoid deserted places at night
* Don't show your valuables or take them out in public.
* Avoid typical vacation behavior such as public drunkenness, loud gambling and so on.
* Avoid carrying too much cash.
* Don't show off. Leave the diamonds and Rolexes at home.They are theif-magnets.
* Beware of strangers with overly friendly and helpful nature, especially if they are persistently trying to get you to go somewhere. Just don't.
* Stay where there are plenty of people, but avoid crowds that can be hunting grounds for pick pockets.

So is it all worth it? There is no doubt violence and crime against tourists is not going away. The only thing we can do about it—-given we're in a jurisdiction with their own autonomy and policing--is to be careful and stay in groups of people. Be safe.