Risk and crisis management

Question 1

Define: Crisis

Answer 1

• Triggering event causing significant change
• Perceived inability to cope with this change
• A threat to the existence of the organisation foundation

Question 2

Types of Crises that Impact Destinations

Answer 2

• Natural Hazards
  
  • Cycylone, storm surge, flood. Tsumani, earthquake, avalanche, volcano
• Technological Hazards
  
  • Failure of tech systems relationg to industrial sites, transportations, infrastructure
• Biological hazards
  
  • Spread of disease amongst people or animals, pests, contamination
• Civil/Political hazards
  
  • Terrorism, sabotage, civil unrest

Question 3

Why are destinations vulnerable to crises

External causes of crises for destinations

Answer 3

• Economic recession
• Political instability
• Socio-cultural unrest
• Natural disasters
• Design faults
• Commercial regulations

Question 4

Why are destinations vulnerable to crises

Internal causes for crises for destinations

Answer 4

• Unprofitability
• Cultural conflicts
• Environmental degradation
• Transport accidents
• Management decisions
• Human error

Question 5

Risk to the safety and security of visitors, host communities and tourism employees

Answer 5

1. The Human and institutional environment
2. Tourism and related sectors
3. Individual travellers
4. Physical environmental/risks

Question 6

The Human and institutional environment

Answer 6

• Common delinquency (theft etc)
• Indiscriminate and targeted violence (such as rape) and harassment
• Organised crimee (extortion, slave trade)
• Terrorism and unlawful interference
• Wars, social conflicts and political and religious unrest
• Lack of public and institutional protection services

Question 7

Tourism and related sectors

Answer 7

• Poor safety standards in tourism establishment
• Fraud in commercial transaction
• Industrial disputes with staff
• Poor sanitation and disrespect for environmental sustainability

Question 8

Individual travellers

Answer 8

• Practicing dangerous sports and leisure activities
• Travelling in poor health
• Causing conflict and friction with local residents through inadequate behaviour
• Carrying out criminal activities

Question 9

Physical and environmental risks

Answer 9

• Are unaware of the natural characteristics of the destination, in particular floral and fauna
• Have not undertaken adequate medical preparations for the trip
• Do not take the necessary precautions when consuming food or drink

Question 10

Pre-crisis: establish a tourism crisis planning committee

Answer 10

• Development to review of tourism crisis management plans and procedures
• Allocation of roles
• Identification of training needs
• Organise training programs/inductions
• Development and conduct of exercises
• Debriefing following excercises and evaluation

Question 11

Development of effective plans for managing crises dependent on

Answer 11

• Regular inter-agency meetings, networking and liaison
• Implementation of a disaster risk management process
• Development of plans and procedures
• Establishments and nurturing of partnerships
• Community consultation
• Effective communication
• Training of personnel
• Testings of plans
• Efficient review and amendment procedures

Question 12

During a crisis: Tourism crisis management centre

Answer 12

• Main work area with adequate space, lighting and low level sound
• Area for meetings and briefing staff
• Access control point
• Seperate media briefing room
• Rest and recreation area

Question 13

During a crisis: Dealing with the crisis

Answer 13

• Measure to enhance the safety and well being of visitors and residents
  
  • Evacuation
  • Actions to protect property
  • Protect infrastructure
  • Moving equipment to safer ground
  • Disruption to services

Question 14

During a crisis: Address the concerns and needs of people directly affected

Answer 14

• Actions that need to occur could include
  
  • Treating injuries
  • Restoring communication networks
  • Ensuring adequate flow of information
  • Arranging safe communication
  • Caring for the injured

Question 15

During a crisis: Minimising the damage

Answer 15

• This will largely depend on the extent of the damage
• If damage is minor a advertising campaign could be used to inform visitors the destination is still functioning
• However important to note that generally during a crisis visitors are not wanted and can get in the way of recovery efforts

Question 16

During crisis: Business continuity

Answer 16

• Priorities for restoration
• Resources and budgeting requirements
• Short and long term business issues
• Media management
• PR
• Insulation with government
• Environmental management issues

Question 17

Post crisis: Recovery Stage

Answer 17

• Concerned with the reservation of tourism to full capacity
• Recovery decision making process will be depend on
  
  • Residual effects upon regional tourism operations
  • Existing damage to property and infrastructure
  • Causes of ongoing disruption to services
  • Consequences of the crisis for tourism destinations and surrounding communities and
  • Personnel, equipment and measured need to deal with the recover operation.