Wanderlust prevails. Research has revealed that tourism hit an all-time high in 2015 despite the heights of security and terrorist threats worldwide.

According to a report from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), an impressive 1.2 billion people flew to a foreign country last year, a 4.4 percent growth from 2014. The development was largely prominent in Europe, which saw a 5 percent surge in arrivals reportedly due to the weaker euro. Within the region, Central, Eastern and Northern Europe logged in the most growth at 6 percent.

Asia and the Pacific was not far behind as the region marked a 5 percent growth and a total of 277 million tourists, while the Americas also had a 5 percent growth with its 191 million travelers and the Middle East recorded a 3 percent growth for 54 million in total. However, Africa had a 3 percent decrease in arrivals as limited data revealed a steep 8 percent decline in arrivals in North Africa.

"The robust performance of the sector is contributing to economic growth and job creation in many parts of the world," UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai said. "It is thus critical for countries to promote policies that foster the continued growth of tourism, including travel facilitation, human resources development and sustainability."

He added, "2015 results were influenced by exchange rates, oil prices and natural and manmade crises in many parts of the world. As the current environment highlights in a particular manner the issues of safety and security, we should recall that tourism development greatly depends upon our collective capacity to promote safe, secure and seamless travel."

The 2016 projections were generally positive throughout with a 4 percent increase in tourist arrivals expected worldwide. In terms of regions, Asia and the Pacific, the Americas and Europe are still on pace to be the strongest tourist draws of the year.

The prospect of travel has endured the growing concern of safety and security in other countries. In the wake of attacks in Egypt, France, Lebanon, Tunisia, Mali and other nations, some tourists have been understandably wary of venturing out of their home countries.

Although he acknowledged the presence of these threats, Rifai expressed his positive outlook for the industry as he called on the governments to include the tourism administrations in national security to ensure and support safe travel worldwide.

In a report from The Guardian, the UNWTO executive reiterated the need to continue to travel. He said, "We must never allow the pretext of safety and security to curb and reverse our attitude towards making this world more open."