by Georges Panayotis
What could be better than tourism as a symbol to attack when you want to draw attention? Terrorists of all ilks have long understood this and have been multiplying their tragic deeds. Since the attacks on archaeological sites in Egypt, in popular streets of Paris, and in the heart of Manhattan, the attacks have been terribly successful at wiping out any effort to promote a destination – even the most popular – or at putting the economies of weakened countries in a worse position when tourism is their main source of development.
After their dramatic collapse, arrivals will eventually rise again, but in the meantime, a fatal blow will have been dealt to thousands of hoteliers, millions of employees, many shops and service providers, who could be slipping their key under the door without waiting for tourists to return. It thus becomes necessary to live with this constant threat and adapt the industry with respect to it.
The first guarantee a country needs to make its visitors is that they will be able to return home safe and sound, and full of good memories. Security has become a priority when choosing a destination and it is no longer possible to expect tourists to be fatalistic and overlook taking the necessary steps to provide it.
It is no longer acceptable, media-wise, either economically or socially, for tourists to be the victims – direct or indirect – of irascible taxis drivers, pickpockets and purse snatchers, organised bands any more than “enlightened” fanatics and suicidal terrorists. The comparison may appear disproportionate, but in reality it is this combination of fears, great and small, that can scare off many a well-intentioned tourist from a country that has let security go awry.
After 9-11, everyone understood and made it a point to reinforce security at airports and boarding. After the disasters that followed in museums, on beaches and near the most popular sites, everyone understands and appreciates the measures taken to prevent attacks of all kinds. And this comes with a price that governments cannot absorb by themselves… everyone must assume their share of the responsibility to guarantee peaceful vacations and business trips.
This is also true for travel professionals that have overly encouraged the most fragile destinations in order to slash prices and maintain a downward spiral that offers no room for investment and visitor protection.
We are definitely entering a long period of unrest and trouble. Changing context does not mean giving up or being pessimistic. There is no question of allowing fear to take over minds and control behaviour. It would be too fine a victory for those resolved to sustain an atmosphere of terror. But that does not mean governments and all the players in the hotel industry may be nonchalant about their responsibility to establish some serenity.
