FACTS

Here are some of the hazards related to terrorism and security threats in the hospitality sector:

• Physical Harm: The most immediate and severe hazard from a terrorist attack is the potential for loss of life and physical injury to guests and staff.
• Property Damage: Terrorism can cause significant property damage, affecting the infrastructure of hospitality venues and resulting in substantial financial losses.
• Psychological Impact: The fear and trauma associated with terrorism can have lasting psychological effects on victims, employees, and guests, impacting their well-being long after an incident.
• Reputational Damage: A terrorist incident can tarnish the reputation of a hospitality establishment, leading to decreased trust from guests and potentially long-term business downturns.
• Economic Impact: Beyond the immediate venue, terrorism can have broader economic implications, affecting local and national tourism, travel industries, and the overall perception of a destination’s safety.
• Operational Disruption: Terrorism can disrupt operations, leading to closures, loss of business, and the need for significant investments in security measures and infrastructure repairs.

STATS

• According to the Global Terrorism Index, deaths from terrorism are now 59% lower than their peak in 2014, with the overall fall in deaths leading to a reduction in the number of countries experiencing deaths from terrorism. In 2019, 63 countries recorded at least one death from terrorism, the lowest number since 2013. The impact of terrorism lessened in seven of the nine regions of the world in 2019, with South Asia recording the largest deterioration, followed by Central America and the Caribbean.
• Research from Ipsos MORI suggests not: in a survey of more than 700 organisations around the world, they found that only 19% of organisations implemented safety and security checks for hotels/ accommodation in 2017.
• The start of the 21st century was marked by a wave of terrorist attacks, outbreaks of disease, and devastating natural phenomena, prompting tourism crises at corporate, industry, and destination levels. The impact of these incidents has led to a decline in revenue for the industry connected to hotels and tourism, as well as significant loss of lives.