The risk and crisis management for the tourist involves preparing and managing the effect of the crisis on tourists. There should be adequate measures to mitigate effects of risks in all tourist destination centres. Prevention or mitigation is a major risk and crisis management strategy which may be adopted to reduce the effects of risk. Use of SWOT analysis may help to prevent the risk from occurring. SWOT is an acronym which stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Preparedness is another strategy which may be used in risk and crisis management of tourists. This may involve having a well trained team in the tourist destinations to deal with risks which are likely to occur. A tourism crisis planning committee may be set up in the destination country .
Safety of visitors involves ensuring the tourists are not exposed to any form of risk or crisis. Their safety can be enhanced by setting up emergency plans in order to reduce the risk exposure of tourists. Enhancing the security of tourist destinations would help to improve on their safety. Full disclosure of any potential risks they are likely to encounter and the protective actions against the risk will help to improve on their safety.
Potential risks against the tourists can be minimized by documenting the potential risks that are likely to face the tourists. Such risks include the risk of theft, fire, food poisoning and terrorist attack. The actions to be taken in case the risk arises should be documented. Tourist destination centers should communicate to the tourist all the precautionary measures required in order to minimize the incidences of risk happening. Full disclosure of all the potential risks should be made known to the tourists. Creation of a media centre will help to sort out security issues as soon as they arise.
The tourists may face different types of risks during their tourism activities. Some of the crisis and the risks that are common among the tourists are fire outbreak in their residential areas, accidents while in the park or being attacked by people or animals. Tourists may face the risk of food poisoning and bomb explosion in their residential areas such as hotels. A terrorist attack is another major risk which tourists are likely to encounter. An outbreak of disease or an epidemic may have a negative impact on the tourists. Disaster planning is essential in reducing the impacts of risks and crisis in the tourism sector.
Emergency plans are meant to reduce the effects of the risks and crisis once they have happened. The emergency plans may include evacuating the tourists from the crime scene, closure of the affected area and informing all the tourists of the incident through a designated spokesperson. All the possible measures should be undertaken in order to diminish the gravity of the incident. Health and safety requirements should be implemented to handle emergencies. Health and safety requirements may involve training specific personnel’s to deal with such incidences. An ambulance and fire service equipments should be always available.
PATA booklet is a peak body which was established with an objective of providing training and educational programs that would be useful in improving the safety of the tourists. PATA outlines the role of the government in protecting the tourist destinations. PATA is an acronym which refers to the Pacific Asia Travel Association. PATA has also been involved in developing Project Phoenix, which aims at restoring consumer and business confidence for people within the Asia-Pacific region .
References
Arch G. Woodside, D. M. (2007). Tourism Management: Analysis, Behaviour, and Strategy. Cambridge: CABI.
Doone Robertson, I. K. (2004). Tourism Risk Management An Authoritative Guide to Managing Crises in Tourism. Heng Mui Keng Terrace: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
