Security: Honesty pays off

Clear and accurate messages to tourists on safety and security will build confidence in a country ability to host visitors.

That was the core message of the “Thailand Tourism Marketing-Safety and Security” forum late last week, from Oxford School of Hospitality Management senior lecturer in strategic risk management, Dr Alexandros Paraskevas.

He was speaking at last week’s tourism brainstorming forum that focused on security issues in Thailand.

He said: “Safety and security have always been basic needs for hospitality and tourism industry…however, the tourism industry cannot always control the situation even when it may impact on business performance.”

He added: “The actual event could be less harmful than the fear it creates…we often “worship the threat” by fuelling speculation and misinformation for example SARS.”

“Clear and accurate messages and information  is needed when the crisis or risk occur.”

The tourism industry can lessen the impact by being proactive planning, influencing and communicating consistently with a single voice, and providing information and reassurance to its stakeholders particularly visitors, he advised.

“There are four key elements to manage with tourism safety and security that are stewardship, education, monitoring and communication together with the stakeholders.”

The start of a good response is risk intelligence which may require outside assistance to understand all the variables.

“When we know where and what to look for we are better able to detect and capture potential warning signals of known and unknown threats through informational networks and comparison with database.”

The only limiting factor is the budget allocated to research and risk assessment. Governments and trade associations are more prepared to spend on marketing and efforts that can provide immediate results.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews