The Impacts of Terrorism on the Tourism Industry
Author: Alexander Coppola
1 Commentries
Abstract
This paper will clearly demonstrate the impacts that terrorism and their influences have on the tourism industry. This study will bring forward a number of cases including; an overview of what the term 'terrorism' actually means, furthermore; this paper will illustrate the undeniable, unique relationship between terrorism and tourism. Finally, this report will look distinguish the economic impact that terrorism has had on the tourism industry and the role terrorism has been portrayed in the media, emulating what impact this has on the public's perception.
Keywords
Terrorism, Tourism, Tourists.
Summary
Jongman (1992) and Weinberg et al (2004) define terrorism as an organized and persistent strategy alliterated by a state or political group against another state, political or social group through a movement of acts of violence, however, the uncertainty of the term continues to commence.
The solicitation of the term to the actions of a group, organisation or a state conveys opprobrium, thus, those to whom it may consult, it as an accusation and often a ploy to turn the table on their accusers, by labeling them the ''real'' terrorists. (Weinberg, 2004; 778)
"Richter (1983) and Richter, Wangh (1986) suggest tourists are targeted by terrorists; as they are viewed as 'easy' targets, an ambassador of their country, and as a symbolic representative of hostile governments. An example of this type of attack was on an Italian cruise ship liner called the 'Achille Lauro'.
There are two categories that terrorist objectives are recognised under; these are strategic and ideological. Terrorists targeting tourists directly, this achieved by aiming their intentions toward international tourists and facilities. The second category is terrorists targeting tourists indirectly (Hall, Sullivan, 1996). This involves travelers who are targeted for their value as indirect representatives of; perhaps, hostile, governments (Richter 1983; Richter and Waugh 1986).
Tourism is the world's largest leading industry and is an important economic sector for a large majority of countries, in particular, smaller countries, as they rely heavily on the revenue (Ali, 2008; 9). The acknowledgment of terrorist activity in tourist destination can severely affect the level of business that a tourist location receives.
According to a study conducted by Lenain (2002) based on the estimated damage caused by the terrorist aggression on the United States on September 11th 2001; the destruction of physical assets was estimated to accumulated to fourteen billion dollars. The impact of terrorism on a countries economy can lead to unemployment, homelessness, deflation, crime and other social and economic obstacles (Blake et al, 2002). This small decline, however, marked a sharp reversal of the growth in international tourist arrivals registered in 2002.
The repercussions of a terrorist attack on the tourism industry extend beyond impacts; notably, in relation to airlines, tour operators and travel agents and the hospitality sector. (Blake et al, 2002). The direct impact that a terrorist attack will have upon a destination is tourists will then decide to stay at home or choose a safer place to holiday, which translates into losses for the tourism industry of the country suffering from an act of terrorism (Edgell, 1990).
Arguments are raised, from those who consider mass media as a powerful propaganda tool capable of brainwashing the attitudes of a susceptible public (Slone, 2000; 508). Several authors have given emphasis to the impact that mass media has on the public perceptions and argue with there is a relationship that exists between the two.
"Most individuals do not assess threat to personal and national security on the basis direct experience forms of exposure" (Slone, 2000; 509).
Although media coverage is deemed 'very informative'; at times, it can be considered inappropriate and disturbing to individuals, therefore, this creates a negative misconceptions of a destination in a tourists perspective (Nicoletta, Servidio, 2012; 19).
Tourist destinations depend heavily on positive images; therefore, this becomes a crucial concept towards marketing the destination to tourists (Bramwell and Rawding, 1996, Dann, 1996, Echtner, Richie, 1991). Some destinations may be eradicated due to the perceived risk attached to the destination (Sommez, 1998). This imagined fear is reinvigorated and some may argue; a product and constituted by the media.
The media and terrorism co-exist in a unique type of relationship, where terrorists gain media speculation by increasing their audience and the communication of their message, whereas, media gains profit and higher ratings. However, the media also has a strong connection with tourism as it is a significant influence on the image of tourist destinations; as such, affecting consumer choice.
Research conducted for this study shows that term 'terrorism'; although several authors have attempted to define the term 'terrorism', ultimately, the objective definition of the term, is replicated 'in the eye of the beholder'. The threat of terrorism towards tourists is highly applicable, as this study recognises that tourist are prime suspects that can satisfy terrorists needs, which therefore, creates a negative picture of the destination, causing a decrease in visitation.
The impact that terrorism has on the economy of a destination can be fatal, with particular emphasis on New York, in relation to the loss of life, financial woes and decrease in employment, however, over time; the rate of visitation began to rise once again. The media is powerful tool which can help mold a person's perception of current events; however it can also create 'imaginary fear', which plays right into the terrorists hands.
References
Pizam, A, Smith, G. (2000) Tourism and Terrorism: A Quantitative Analysis of Major Terrorist Acts and their Impact on Tourism Destinations. Tourism Economics, 6(2); 123-138
Hall, M, O'Sullivan, V. (1996) Tourism, Political Stability and Violence. In Tourism, Crime and International Security Issues, edited by A. Pizam and Y. Mansfeld. New York: John Wiley; 105-21.
Richter, K, Waugh, L. (1986) Terrorism and Tourism as Logical Companions. Tourism Management 7; 230-238.
This paper will clearly demonstrate the impacts that terrorism and their influences have on the tourism industry. This study will bring forward a number of cases including; an overview of what the term 'terrorism' actually means, furthermore; this paper will illustrate the undeniable, unique relationship between terrorism and tourism. Finally, this report will look distinguish the economic impact that terrorism has had on the tourism industry and the role terrorism has been portrayed in the media, emulating what impact this has on the public's perception.
Keywords
Terrorism, Tourism, Tourists.
Summary
Jongman (1992) and Weinberg et al (2004) define terrorism as an organized and persistent strategy alliterated by a state or political group against another state, political or social group through a movement of acts of violence, however, the uncertainty of the term continues to commence.
The solicitation of the term to the actions of a group, organisation or a state conveys opprobrium, thus, those to whom it may consult, it as an accusation and often a ploy to turn the table on their accusers, by labeling them the ''real'' terrorists. (Weinberg, 2004; 778)
"Richter (1983) and Richter, Wangh (1986) suggest tourists are targeted by terrorists; as they are viewed as 'easy' targets, an ambassador of their country, and as a symbolic representative of hostile governments. An example of this type of attack was on an Italian cruise ship liner called the 'Achille Lauro'.
There are two categories that terrorist objectives are recognised under; these are strategic and ideological. Terrorists targeting tourists directly, this achieved by aiming their intentions toward international tourists and facilities. The second category is terrorists targeting tourists indirectly (Hall, Sullivan, 1996). This involves travelers who are targeted for their value as indirect representatives of; perhaps, hostile, governments (Richter 1983; Richter and Waugh 1986).
Tourism is the world's largest leading industry and is an important economic sector for a large majority of countries, in particular, smaller countries, as they rely heavily on the revenue (Ali, 2008; 9). The acknowledgment of terrorist activity in tourist destination can severely affect the level of business that a tourist location receives.
According to a study conducted by Lenain (2002) based on the estimated damage caused by the terrorist aggression on the United States on September 11th 2001; the destruction of physical assets was estimated to accumulated to fourteen billion dollars. The impact of terrorism on a countries economy can lead to unemployment, homelessness, deflation, crime and other social and economic obstacles (Blake et al, 2002). This small decline, however, marked a sharp reversal of the growth in international tourist arrivals registered in 2002.
The repercussions of a terrorist attack on the tourism industry extend beyond impacts; notably, in relation to airlines, tour operators and travel agents and the hospitality sector. (Blake et al, 2002). The direct impact that a terrorist attack will have upon a destination is tourists will then decide to stay at home or choose a safer place to holiday, which translates into losses for the tourism industry of the country suffering from an act of terrorism (Edgell, 1990).
Arguments are raised, from those who consider mass media as a powerful propaganda tool capable of brainwashing the attitudes of a susceptible public (Slone, 2000; 508). Several authors have given emphasis to the impact that mass media has on the public perceptions and argue with there is a relationship that exists between the two.
"Most individuals do not assess threat to personal and national security on the basis direct experience forms of exposure" (Slone, 2000; 509).
Although media coverage is deemed 'very informative'; at times, it can be considered inappropriate and disturbing to individuals, therefore, this creates a negative misconceptions of a destination in a tourists perspective (Nicoletta, Servidio, 2012; 19).
Tourist destinations depend heavily on positive images; therefore, this becomes a crucial concept towards marketing the destination to tourists (Bramwell and Rawding, 1996, Dann, 1996, Echtner, Richie, 1991). Some destinations may be eradicated due to the perceived risk attached to the destination (Sommez, 1998). This imagined fear is reinvigorated and some may argue; a product and constituted by the media.
The media and terrorism co-exist in a unique type of relationship, where terrorists gain media speculation by increasing their audience and the communication of their message, whereas, media gains profit and higher ratings. However, the media also has a strong connection with tourism as it is a significant influence on the image of tourist destinations; as such, affecting consumer choice.
Research conducted for this study shows that term 'terrorism'; although several authors have attempted to define the term 'terrorism', ultimately, the objective definition of the term, is replicated 'in the eye of the beholder'. The threat of terrorism towards tourists is highly applicable, as this study recognises that tourist are prime suspects that can satisfy terrorists needs, which therefore, creates a negative picture of the destination, causing a decrease in visitation.
The impact that terrorism has on the economy of a destination can be fatal, with particular emphasis on New York, in relation to the loss of life, financial woes and decrease in employment, however, over time; the rate of visitation began to rise once again. The media is powerful tool which can help mold a person's perception of current events; however it can also create 'imaginary fear', which plays right into the terrorists hands.
References
Pizam, A, Smith, G. (2000) Tourism and Terrorism: A Quantitative Analysis of Major Terrorist Acts and their Impact on Tourism Destinations. Tourism Economics, 6(2); 123-138
Hall, M, O'Sullivan, V. (1996) Tourism, Political Stability and Violence. In Tourism, Crime and International Security Issues, edited by A. Pizam and Y. Mansfeld. New York: John Wiley; 105-21.
Richter, K, Waugh, L. (1986) Terrorism and Tourism as Logical Companions. Tourism Management 7; 230-238.