One World, One Dream, and One Human Race; it is Terrorism that we Face!
Author: Christopher Cross
4 Commentries
Abstract:
This paper will critically explore terrorism and the links that it has with the tourism industry. It will discuss the impacts that terrorism inflicts on the business of tourism and tourists. Within this paper, perceptions of tourists of the risk of terrorism will be explored as this thus contributes to the tourism experience in the 21st century. Terrorism is something that the industry will continue to face and as a result, the perceived risk that tourists become accustomed to travelling will remain. This paper takes an unusual turn as it suggests positive impacts of terrorism on nations and communities that have suffered from terrorism attacks.
Keywords: Terrorism, Perceptions, international Security, Risk, Tourism, Positive.
Those that take it upon themselves to make clear their thoughts through conflicting violent on innocent people are merely a small selection of the world's population. There are conflicting definitions of terrorism but it can be defined as a politically motivated attack of violence with the use of numerous means used to carry out the act of terror (Sloboda, 2003). Terrorism poses risks to the international community and the industry, it has been increasingly threatened by terrorism in the 21st century, it is thus a risk to law and order due to its sheer size, diversity and extent of the industry itself (Arana and Leon, 2008; Henderson,2007).
Tourism provides an ideal opportunity for terrorism organisations to exploit for maximum devastation of the international community and the locals. Terrorism influences tourism in two major ways firstly, it can damage demand for a destination as it creates an impression that it is no longer safe. Secondly, the facilities that the industry uses for transportation like aircraft, trains, cruise ships and coaches are used as targets for maximum effect. These therefore are susceptible to bomb threats and hijackings (Frey et al, 2007). Even acts of terrorism that are not directed at the tourism industry still indeed, effect the tourism industry and destination selection of potential tourists to a certain area (Moss et al, 2008; Henderson, 2007). "Terrorism has evolved into a major global concern for the tourism industry" (Mansfeld and Pizam, 2006:28).
Terrorism can have lasting effects on the destination image, tourists to the area and local infrastructure. Tourists are often put off in the short/long term from travelling to destinations that have been targeted by acts of terrorism, but remains fairly situational. In the case of 9/11 (Twin towers-USA), 7/05 (Transport network-London 2005), Bail night club 2002 and a number of events in Egypt and Turkey, have all seen changes in tourism behaviours as a result of the acts of terror where the tourism industry has suffered (Lee and Lemyre, 2009; Cooper, 2008; Toh et al, 2008; Frey et al, 2007; Reisinger and Mavondo, 2006; Sonmez et al, 1999).
It recognised that the act of terrorism on the tourism industry in general, has a number of negative impacts on the industry which are of an economic, social and political nature (Frey et al, 2007; Mansfeld and Pizam, 2006). It is established that an act of terror can influence tourist behaviours through destination selection as a result of perceived risks which are thus partly characterised by destination image (Sonmez et al, 1999; Vazquez et al, 2008).
Along with the negative impacts of terrorism on tourism, there are some positive aspects of it. Acts of terror brings nations closer together to help tackle the global problem of terrorism. After a number of attempted and actual terror attacks aimed at USA have increased ties between the United States and Europe (Vazquez et al, 2008). Although it is established that acts of terror can destroy communities through creating unfortunate deaths, damaging infrastructure and causing physiological problems, there are some positive impacts. Terrorism can bring communities together and the public are then able to aid efforts as they will be on alert to look for suspicious activity. Communities are also able to pull together to create support for each other to deal with the loss of life and disruption that will be inflicted on them as a result of an act of terror on a community (Mansfeld and Pizam, 2006; Coshall, 2003). In the case of the London subway bombings in 2005, members of the community pulled together to help those that were majorly influenced by the terror attack by helping them come to terms with what had actually happened (Mansfeld and Pizam, 2006; Vazquez et al, 2008).
In summation, the tourism industry continues to be vulnerable to future acts of terrorism directly or indirectly related to the business of tourism. Today's tourism industry is clearly influenced by terrorism which can have devastating effects on the tourist and the actual destination itself. Even terror attacks that are not directed at the tourism industry still do impact on the business of tourism through perceptions. The threat of anything life threatening can happen at anytime and anywhere, tourists should not let acts of terrorism influence travel plans or indeed, future travel plans. This paper has thus outlined that although terrorism can damage a destination, infrastructure and local communities, it can also help bring nations together for a united fight again global terrorism and the imminent threat of terrorism.
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References:
Arana, E. J and Leon, J. C (2008) The impact of terrorism on tourism demand. Annals of tourism research. 35 (2), pp 299-315.
Cooper, C (2008) Tourism: principles and practice. Harlow: Pearson Education.
Coshall, T, J (2003) The threat of terrorism as an intervention on international travel flows. Journal of Travel Research. 42, pp 4-12.
Frey. S. B, Luechinger, S and Stutzer, A (2007) Calculating Tragedy: Assessing the Cost of Terrorism. Journal of Economic Surveys. 21(1),pp 1-24.
Henderson, C .J (2007) Tourism Crises: Causes, consequences and management. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Lee.C.E, J and Lemyre, L. (2009) A Social- Cognitive Perspective of Terrorism Risk Perception and Individual Response in Canada, Society for Risk Analysis, 29 (9), pp 1260-1280.
Mansfeld, Y and Pizam, A (2006) Tourism, security and safety; from theory to practice. The management of hospitality and tourism enterprises series. Oxford: Butterworth -Heinemann.
Moss. S, Ryan, C and Moss, J (2008) The life cycle of a terrorism crisis: Impacts on Tourism travel. Tourism Analysis. 13, pp 33-41.
Reisinger, Y and Mavondo, F (2006) Cultural consequences on traveller risk perception and safety. Tourism Analysis. 11, pp 265-284.
Sloboda, W. B (2003) Assessing the effects of terrorism on tourism by use of time series methods. Journal of Tourism Economics. 9 (2), pp 179-190.
Sonmez. F. S, Apostolopoulos, Y and Tarlow, P (1999) Tourism in Crisis: Managing the effects of terrorism. Journal of Travel research. 38, pp 13-18.
Toh, S. R, Khan, H and Erawan, S (2008) Bomb blasts in Bali: impact on tourism. Tourism Analysis. 9,pp 219-224.
Vazquez, C, Sales, P.P and Hervas, G. (2008) Positive effects of terrorism. Positive effects of terrorism and posttraumatic growth: and individual and community perspective. [online] [accessed 20/04/2010] Available via: < http://www.ucm.es/info/psisalud/carmelo/PUBLICACIONES_pdf/2008-PTG%20and%20terrorism%20_Final%20version_.pdf >.
This paper will critically explore terrorism and the links that it has with the tourism industry. It will discuss the impacts that terrorism inflicts on the business of tourism and tourists. Within this paper, perceptions of tourists of the risk of terrorism will be explored as this thus contributes to the tourism experience in the 21st century. Terrorism is something that the industry will continue to face and as a result, the perceived risk that tourists become accustomed to travelling will remain. This paper takes an unusual turn as it suggests positive impacts of terrorism on nations and communities that have suffered from terrorism attacks.
Keywords: Terrorism, Perceptions, international Security, Risk, Tourism, Positive.
Those that take it upon themselves to make clear their thoughts through conflicting violent on innocent people are merely a small selection of the world's population. There are conflicting definitions of terrorism but it can be defined as a politically motivated attack of violence with the use of numerous means used to carry out the act of terror (Sloboda, 2003). Terrorism poses risks to the international community and the industry, it has been increasingly threatened by terrorism in the 21st century, it is thus a risk to law and order due to its sheer size, diversity and extent of the industry itself (Arana and Leon, 2008; Henderson,2007).
Tourism provides an ideal opportunity for terrorism organisations to exploit for maximum devastation of the international community and the locals. Terrorism influences tourism in two major ways firstly, it can damage demand for a destination as it creates an impression that it is no longer safe. Secondly, the facilities that the industry uses for transportation like aircraft, trains, cruise ships and coaches are used as targets for maximum effect. These therefore are susceptible to bomb threats and hijackings (Frey et al, 2007). Even acts of terrorism that are not directed at the tourism industry still indeed, effect the tourism industry and destination selection of potential tourists to a certain area (Moss et al, 2008; Henderson, 2007). "Terrorism has evolved into a major global concern for the tourism industry" (Mansfeld and Pizam, 2006:28).
Terrorism can have lasting effects on the destination image, tourists to the area and local infrastructure. Tourists are often put off in the short/long term from travelling to destinations that have been targeted by acts of terrorism, but remains fairly situational. In the case of 9/11 (Twin towers-USA), 7/05 (Transport network-London 2005), Bail night club 2002 and a number of events in Egypt and Turkey, have all seen changes in tourism behaviours as a result of the acts of terror where the tourism industry has suffered (Lee and Lemyre, 2009; Cooper, 2008; Toh et al, 2008; Frey et al, 2007; Reisinger and Mavondo, 2006; Sonmez et al, 1999).
It recognised that the act of terrorism on the tourism industry in general, has a number of negative impacts on the industry which are of an economic, social and political nature (Frey et al, 2007; Mansfeld and Pizam, 2006). It is established that an act of terror can influence tourist behaviours through destination selection as a result of perceived risks which are thus partly characterised by destination image (Sonmez et al, 1999; Vazquez et al, 2008).
Along with the negative impacts of terrorism on tourism, there are some positive aspects of it. Acts of terror brings nations closer together to help tackle the global problem of terrorism. After a number of attempted and actual terror attacks aimed at USA have increased ties between the United States and Europe (Vazquez et al, 2008). Although it is established that acts of terror can destroy communities through creating unfortunate deaths, damaging infrastructure and causing physiological problems, there are some positive impacts. Terrorism can bring communities together and the public are then able to aid efforts as they will be on alert to look for suspicious activity. Communities are also able to pull together to create support for each other to deal with the loss of life and disruption that will be inflicted on them as a result of an act of terror on a community (Mansfeld and Pizam, 2006; Coshall, 2003). In the case of the London subway bombings in 2005, members of the community pulled together to help those that were majorly influenced by the terror attack by helping them come to terms with what had actually happened (Mansfeld and Pizam, 2006; Vazquez et al, 2008).
In summation, the tourism industry continues to be vulnerable to future acts of terrorism directly or indirectly related to the business of tourism. Today's tourism industry is clearly influenced by terrorism which can have devastating effects on the tourist and the actual destination itself. Even terror attacks that are not directed at the tourism industry still do impact on the business of tourism through perceptions. The threat of anything life threatening can happen at anytime and anywhere, tourists should not let acts of terrorism influence travel plans or indeed, future travel plans. This paper has thus outlined that although terrorism can damage a destination, infrastructure and local communities, it can also help bring nations together for a united fight again global terrorism and the imminent threat of terrorism.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References:
Arana, E. J and Leon, J. C (2008) The impact of terrorism on tourism demand. Annals of tourism research. 35 (2), pp 299-315.
Cooper, C (2008) Tourism: principles and practice. Harlow: Pearson Education.
Coshall, T, J (2003) The threat of terrorism as an intervention on international travel flows. Journal of Travel Research. 42, pp 4-12.
Frey. S. B, Luechinger, S and Stutzer, A (2007) Calculating Tragedy: Assessing the Cost of Terrorism. Journal of Economic Surveys. 21(1),pp 1-24.
Henderson, C .J (2007) Tourism Crises: Causes, consequences and management. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Lee.C.E, J and Lemyre, L. (2009) A Social- Cognitive Perspective of Terrorism Risk Perception and Individual Response in Canada, Society for Risk Analysis, 29 (9), pp 1260-1280.
Mansfeld, Y and Pizam, A (2006) Tourism, security and safety; from theory to practice. The management of hospitality and tourism enterprises series. Oxford: Butterworth -Heinemann.
Moss. S, Ryan, C and Moss, J (2008) The life cycle of a terrorism crisis: Impacts on Tourism travel. Tourism Analysis. 13, pp 33-41.
Reisinger, Y and Mavondo, F (2006) Cultural consequences on traveller risk perception and safety. Tourism Analysis. 11, pp 265-284.
Sloboda, W. B (2003) Assessing the effects of terrorism on tourism by use of time series methods. Journal of Tourism Economics. 9 (2), pp 179-190.
Sonmez. F. S, Apostolopoulos, Y and Tarlow, P (1999) Tourism in Crisis: Managing the effects of terrorism. Journal of Travel research. 38, pp 13-18.
Toh, S. R, Khan, H and Erawan, S (2008) Bomb blasts in Bali: impact on tourism. Tourism Analysis. 9,pp 219-224.
Vazquez, C, Sales, P.P and Hervas, G. (2008) Positive effects of terrorism. Positive effects of terrorism and posttraumatic growth: and individual and community perspective. [online] [accessed 20/04/2010] Available via: < http://www.ucm.es/info/psisalud/carmelo/PUBLICACIONES_pdf/2008-PTG%20and%20terrorism%20_Final%20version_.pdf >.