This is especially true when referring to the part that refers to safety and health. From hurricanes to earthquakes, from crime to acts of terrorism, from pandemics to border closings, 2022 was a year that ought to have taught the tourism industry once again that without a strong tourism surety program, the industry will suffer and profits will decrease.
Much of the world is now taking سياحت security and biosecurity very successfully. From Australia to Europe, and from the Middle East to the Americas, tourism leaders have had to face continual challenges Leaders have had to learn that an inaccurate picture of a locale once again proves that incorrect perceptions can be deadly, and both industry and political leaders dare not forget that the tourism industry is a very fragile industry.
To help your own locale develop a tourism security program, Tourism Tidbits offers ideas from around the world.
The way that tourism cannot only survive but thrive is from learning from each other and adapting the best practices from around the world.
-Take tourism security seriously and assumes that visitors read about a place prior to making a choice. Your locale should do everything possible to stay off the travel advisory lists and work with international organizations to put to stay relevant when it comes to safety and security. That means stay current regarding changes, invest in tourism security and network with decision makers around the world.
-Make sure that your plans are transparent and receive public support. This principle means that all stakeholders in tourism security know how much money is spent, where it is, and how revenue is generated. If possible, the private sector should provide at least 33% of the funds need for a safe and secure locale. All money is held by a tourism security foundation with a board of directors and audited on a yearly basis.
-Make sure that the public knows what the tourism industry is doing and the reasons for its decisions. Often police departments lack good communication skills with the public. In tourism security communication skills are an essential part of tourism security. To gain public trust, consider the following as part of a cooperative effort between the local police and tourism industry: (1) speak about immediate results, (2) make sure that hotel security agencies and the police cooperate with and know each other, (3) know publicity and positive media coverage may not stop all crime but it will cause a displacement of crime
-The private sector cannot wait for the government or its agencies to take the lead in providing tourism security. Although local law enforcement will set security policy and implementation, it is the private sector that must do its part by focusing on funding and providing the police with sufficient equipment and personnel. Find ways to help your police departments by using additional security guards where possible, and consider donating uniforms, radios, transportation needs, utilities, and office supplies.
-Remember that networking with the local community is essential. This means that your tourism industry must work with representatives of such agencies as local drug czar, social workers, YMCA volunteers and other members of the local community. The model is based on the idea that tourism cannot be separated from the local community and that safe communities offer safe tourism destinations.
-Tourism security is based on good relationships. Good security starts with communication between the tourism entity and the public. Work under the assumption that tourists appreciate tourism police and security professionals and that the better the security the higher the tourism industry’s profits.
-Never forget that tourism security relationships are built on trust. If you promise to do something, do it. Forgetting to accomplish a task is not an excuse, but rather a means to hurt the carefully built business relationships upon which tourism is based. The fact that terms such as “credible tourism” had to be developed tells us that one of the great problems in tourism is that we often fail to deliver the promised results. Let people know the truth and never forget that nothing frightens the public more than not knowing.
-Tourism is, in essence, a communication business built on relationships. In tourism, we communicate not only between the staff and client, boss, and customer, but also within the tourism framework. For example, a tourism security program that does not communicate its ideals and goals to the community is bound to fail. In a like manner, tourism professionals who are extroverted and loquacious have a higher chance of success. Too many tourism professionals and tourism entities have hidden behind technology rather than engage in creative conversations. Nothing upsets an already upset customer than lodging a complaint and then being asked to go through a series of telephone menus. Bottom line, whenever possible, communicate face to face rather than via a machine.
-Nothing builds a locale’s sense of security more effectively than integrity. The visitor industry is a volunteer industry in the sense that no one has to take a vacation or go on a pleasure trip. Tourism sells experiences that people choose to do rather than are forced to undertake. Tourism brands that are both consistent and honest demonstrate a sense of integrity. Think through products that have become brands. In almost all cases, they demonstrate consistency and a sense that the customer receives fair value for his/her money.
-Make sure that both the private and public (tourism) sector subscribes to the same partnership idea: that is to keep your community safe, secure, and environmentally friendly. The last point is essential, as there is a growing body of research that demonstrates the relationship between environment and crime.
-Do not be overly ambitious. Think big but start small. For example, do not be afraid to start until everyone supports your ideas. As ideas prove to be successful other hotels and businesses will want to join. The bottom line is do not look at the negatives, but rather at the potential for growth. Once the program begins, others will join in adding additional revenues and building success on success.
-Here is a 5 program for greater security. These are (1) creation of an independent tourism security foundation, (2) private sector commitment to working with and providing funding to the local police department, (3) the full commitment of the chiefs of police, (4) the hiring of a program coordinators, and (5) the development and updating of a tourism security needs assessment. It should be noted that around the world, the success of tourism security and safety programs tend to be related to the support of the local police chiefs. A special section of the police is dedicated to tourism safety and security and is highly involved with the tourism community, not in a reactive, but proactive manner.
ليکڪ، ڊاڪٽر پيٽر اي ٽارلو، صدر ۽ گڏيل باني آهي World Tourism Network ۽ اڳواڻي ڪري ٿو محفوظ سياحت پروگرام.
