In the days of the old Swat, we used to wish it would fulfil its potential as a tourist destination - although popular with Pakistanis, it could have attracted so many more foreign visitors.

BBC: Remembering Swat's peaceful past

It seems reasonable to suppose that many of Pakistan's dwindling foreign visitors, of all stripes, will now stay away from the country.

ECONOMIST: Pakistan

The spectacular mountainous regions of Central Asia, the Hindu Kush and the Himalayas, closed for many years to visitors from abroad, now attract growing numbers of foreign tourists attracted by the unique cultures and natural beauty of these hitherto isolated areas.

UNESCO: Culture

Timbuktu is one of the many former tourist destinations in Mali that foreign embassies have deemed too dangerous for visitors due to the risk of kidnapping by Aqim.

BBC: Mali kidnapping: One dead and three seized in Timbuktu

South Africa is equipped to deal with around 450, 000 foreign visitors, but Fifa accepts the actual number could be lower, with many fans overseas still recovering from the shock of the global recession.

BBC: South Africa ready for Cup, says Fifa's Sepp Blatter