Why we need to talk about terrorism and tourism
When I lived in London in the early 90’s the IRA were still active in the UK. I clearly remember the first time I experienced a security scare at a Tube station – we were evacuated due to a suspicious package. My heart raced, I was sure it was a bomb. It wasn’t.
After several months I soon realised that every time some fool left anything unattended it became a security scare. My heart stopped racing but one legacy that remains from those days is to be alert to things around you….to look out for unattended packages or anything else unusual.
For many years I haven’t thought much about this until recently I attended a Tourism & Terrorism seminar at the World Travel Market in London. It was presented by the UK’s Foreign Office and Counter Terrorism Taskforce. It covered various threats and how the tourism industry can help to minimise the risks of terrorism. It also covered the response processes the UK Government has in place to deal with terrorist attacks involving British citizens. The recent Tunisian atrocity was used as an example.
In tourism we tend to focus on the good elements rather than the darker ones. It was therefore reassuring to know that there is a lot happening behind the scenes and that there are things that the tourism industry can do to help prevent or minimise the chances of an attack.
However it was an answer that was provided during the question time that really struck a chord with me. The question was along the lines of ‘as a tour operator and an industry we don’t really talk about terrorism and safety as we don’t want it to distract away from the joy of booking and going on a holiday. How do we change this?’
The answer came from one of the senior counter terrorism police officers. In short he said that 30 years ago nobody really talked about occupational health and safety. Now it’s a normal part of business life. Terrorism and client safety should be the same.
Internally within our organisations we need to have the terrorism and security conversations, just like we all have OH&S conversations. Identify the risks and put systems and procedures in place to minimise them.
The thing with OH&S is that the responsibility is shared – between the employer and the employee, the tour company and the traveller. Whilst the company must have safe systems in place we each have a responsibility for our own safety and to use common sense.
This is the way it should be with terrorism and security issues too. It certainly was in London in the early 90’s, even if seeing a suspicious package meant travel frustration for you and your fellow passengers.
Traveller safety needs to be discussed openly – both within tourism organisations and with customers. By raising awareness and encouraging good common sense regarding security we share the responsibility and in the process reduce the level of fear.
The key here is reducing fear. The fear of terrorism, like that of flying and shark attacks, is high and in many cases completely out of proportion with the actual risk. In other words the perceived risk is far higher than the actual risk. In terms of traveller safety the far greater risks to Australian travellers are traffic accidents, robbery and self-induced alcohol related injuries.
By openly discussing traveller safety and security – which includes terrorism but also road safety, robbery and alcohol, we can help ease their concerns, bring some balance to this topic of terrorism and at the same time keep our passengers safe.
CATO will be holding a Crisis Management Forum in Sydney in March 2016. Details to be released soon.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
-
Latest comments
Latest News
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
UPDATE: Bonza hole deepens as administrators investigate financial affairs
Administrators dig deeper as struggling airline unlikely to be revived.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.
Well said Dennis! I commend you on the work you are doing as CATO Chairman and believe it will surely have a positive effect on the industry as well as the travelling public. Keep up the great work!
Well said Dennis! I commend you on the work you are doing as CATO Chairman and believe it will surely have a positive effect on the industry as well as the travelling public. Keep up the great work!