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Whose side is the Media on? Tourism vs. Terrorism

Whose side is the Media on? Tourism vs. Terrorism
Author: Megan Olivia Paley
1 Commentries
Abstract:

The focus of this paper is to explicate an understanding of the relationship between Tourism and Terrorism, with a particular focus upon the role of the Media and its significance as a connection between the two. Who is the Media benefitting? Could it be detrimental to the success of the Tourism industry where Terrorism is concerned? And finally, is it possible to control the relationship between the Media and Terrorism?

Keywords:

Terrorists, Terrorism, Tourism, Tourists, Media

Summary:

It is difficult to say whether terrorism has increased or whether it is actually our preoccupation and awareness with it that has. Nonetheless in our media-driven society the various networks within mass media have allowed terrorist organisations to feel the illusion of power. (Buckley & Klemm,1993; Baker & Coulter, 2007)

Whether terrorist attacks are based in Europe, the Middle East or the US it is inevitably the case that the organisers of terrorism exploit the media in order to benefit their propaganda schemes, information gathering and overall operational efficiency. Whether the act of terrorism is executed by a relatively amateur group or by a network of terrorists, the media goals remain the same; attention, recognition and even respect. (Bilgen, 2012; Nacos, 2002)

In return, the Media receives full attention from the public, record sales and huge audiences which are vital to its existence. Just as terrorism needs to be communicated to have an effect, the media has to cover terrorist incidents in a way that will benefit them from the public's desire to gain information; it is fair to say that the relationship between the media and terrorism is mutually beneficial. (Nacos, 2002; Bilgen, 2012)

Although scholars offer differing explanations when discussing terrorist objectives, there is a collective agreement that terrorists have much to gain by targeting tourists. Upon examination several objectives come to light; targeting tourists helps terrorists to achieve their strategic aims. Not only will targeting tourists provide disruption to the tourism industry but gravitating towards international tourists can satisfy resourcing needs. (Richter & Waugh, 1986; Sonmez et al, 1999)

For terrorists the high profile, symbolism and news value of international tourists is too valuable to be left unexploited. Academics argue that tourism can be the message as well as the means of communication by terrorists, this leads well into sources of literature that discuss how tourism can inspire terrorism through socioeconomic or cultural resentment and how it can be used as an instrument to deliver the message of political and ideological opposition. (Sonmez et al, 1999)

From the Bali Bombings of 2002 we can see how the tourists as the target were valuable alongside the media. Academics argue that there is often less of a local community backlash when tourists are the subject of an attack because there are fewer local innocent victims, nonetheless it must be pointed out that in the instance of the Bali Bombings of 2002 this backfired due to the high rates of death amongst the Indonesian communities. (Hitchcock & Putra, 2007)

Media coverage of terrorism or political commotion has the ability to shape individual's perceptions of tourist destinations. Not only can terrorist events affect decisions regarding tourist travel but they can also influence the choices in relation to modes of transport perhaps more significant to such decisions is the wider question of safety from criminal or terrorists acts. (Hall, 2002)

With issues of uncertainty amongst tourists and travel, many national and regional tourism organisations have to decide how to respond; the main question addressed is when the market will regain confidence and return to 'normality.' Central to this question is the role of the media and its influence upon public opinion. When the media interprets issues it can give them more or less significance dependent upon the type of coverage provided, the media is clearly a highly influential tool. (Hall, 2002; Wood & Peake, 1998)

In relation to the media, the terrorists' choice to target Bali meant that an attack on an area with large amounts of western tourists would inevitably attract foreign interest therefore publicising the terrorists' cause. Literature suggests that it would not only attract attention but also generate external publicity; something which the government could not suppress. Interestingly, some academics argue that in actual fact the tourists as a whole were not the intended victims but the targets were Westerners and other religious groups. (Hitchcock & Putra, 2007)

Despite the negative conception that media supports the success of terrorist attacks, there is the view that the media is beneficial to tourists as a means of information or warning. The media has the ability to influence safety and security policies when such attacks take place, which arguably creates a safety net for tourists who might have otherwise been caught up in further attacks. This poses the question as to whether the media is in support of the tourism industry or does it actually hinder its success? (Sonmez et al, 1999)

Some academics argue that the media should reduce its attention towards terrorist activity; however whether this would reduce the terrorist attacks is difficult to answer. Other theorists suggest that even if the media were to reduce its attention from terrorist activity, there will always be an opening to showcase terrorism and that it would be a hugely challenging effort to change otherwise.

Bilgen, A. (2012) Terrorism and the Media: A Dangerous Symbiosis, Available: http://www.e-ir.info/2012/07/22/terrorism-and-the-media-a-dangerous-symbiosis/. Last accessed: 7th May 2013

Hitchcock, M., and Putra, N. D. (2007) Cultural Perceptions of Tourism and Terrorism, Available: http://www.mecon.nomadit.co.uk/pub/conference_epaper_download.php5?PaperID=1258 Last accessed: 8th May 2013

Sonmez, S., Apostolopoulos, Y., and P. Tarlow (1999) Tourism in Crisis: Managing the Effects of Terrorism, Journal of Travel Research, 38 (1), pp. 13-18
A review of the paper
Author: Maria Johanna Mannila
The reason why I chose to commentate on this discussion paper is because it deals with some of the issues that I focus on in my paper. I noticed similarities in our papers but also some differences that I would like to point out.

The author states that it is difficult to say whether terrorism or the awareness of it has increased. However according to Pizam and Fleischer the amount of major terrorist attacks was discovered to be only 206 in 1972 but within 13 years it already increased to 3,010 (2002: 337). In some cases, like in Egypt, the severity of attacks has also increased within time (Reuters Limited & U.S. Dive Travel Network, 2013).

Like the author states, terrorists want attention and attacking tourists is a way to get it. Attacks against citizens of other countries will result in high media coverage (Sönmez 1998: 425) and it will help terrorists to achieve their goals. Tourists are seen as 'soft targets' (Fuchs and Pizam 2011: 303) which makes them attractive for terrorists. However it is not just about gaining media coverage but also revolting against their government (Sönmez 1998: 425). In Egypt, terrorists are attacking against tourists because they know that tourism is a huge source of income for the country.

The author also suggests that "media coverage of terrorism or political commotion has the ability to shape individual's perceptions of tourist destinations" and affect on tourists' choices but the summary doesn't explain further the impacts. Media coverage of terror attacks has usually negative impacts on destination image, especially if the unstable situation is still on. However Crawford suggests that increased media attention, even negative one, can in the end have positive impact on sales by increasing consciousness among consumers and the market for destination (2012: 94-96).

The author suggests that tourism organisations need to respond and the main question is when the market will return to normal. The impact of terrorist attack lasts usually (60%) for 1-6 months but in some cases less than month (19%) or more than 6 months (6%) (Pizam and Smith 2000: 135). This shows that tourism industry is capable to recover fast. Besides the author stated that media has important part in this process which is true but destinations can also expedite the recovery themselves. Preparations before and after the accident are significant for the destination (Fuchs and Pizam 2011: 300). The way destination manages the attack and how it responds plays an important role. Hiring police units to ensure the safety of tourists, updating security equipment and informing people about the current situation are few examples to show tourists that destination is reacting to attacks.

For my opinion, the role of media in relationship between tourism and terrorism is well presented in this paper. I also found interesting the discussion if media reinforces the impacts of terrorism and would the attacks reduce if they didn't get high media coverage. It would have been interesting to hear the author's opinion about the case.

References

Crawford, D. (2012). Recovering from terror: the Egyptian and Balinese experiences. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes 4 (1) 94-96.

Fuchs, G. and Pizam, A. (2011). The importance of safety and security for tourism destinations. In: Wang, Y and Pizam, A. Destination marketing and management: theories and applications. Wallingford: CABI Publishing, 300, 303.

Pizam, A. and Fleischer, A. (2002). Severity versus frequency of acts of terrorism: which has a larger impact on tourism demand? Journal of Travel Research. 40 (3), 337.

Pizam, A. and Smith, G. (2000). Tourism and terrorism: a quantitative analysis of major terrorist acts and their impact on tourism destinations. Tourism Economics. 6 (2), 135.

Reuters Limited & U.S. Dive Travel Network. (2013). Chronology of attacks on tourist targets in Egypt: a detailed history from 1992 to the present. Available: http://www.usdivetravel.com/T-EgyptTerrorism.html. Last accessed 24th Apr 2013.

Sönmez, S. (1998). Tourism, terrorism, and political instability. Annals of Tourism Research 25 (2) 425.