There have been a few setbacks in tourism , such as the September 11 attacks and terrorist threats to tourist destinations , such as in Bali and several European cities . Also , on 26 December 2004 , a tsunami , caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake , hit the Asian countries on the Indian Ocean , including the Maldives . Thousands of lives were lost including many tourists . This , together with the vast clean-up operations , stopped or severely hampered tourism in the area for a time
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Tourism