"Tourists getting used to bombings"

by Frans Regtien*

29-07-2008

Tourists are less and less bothered about bombings in busy holiday destinations. Social psychologist and tourism expert Ton van Egmond thinks that they may be getting used to such atrocities. Little research has been done into the results of bomb attacks on tourism, but he believes these are becoming increasingly less important to tourists. Only last Sunday evening, many people were killed or injured in a bomb attack in a predominantly Kurdish neighbourhood in Istanbul in Turkey.

"Tourists visiting countries where there is a risk of attacks get used to the idea, especially if they come from somewhere with similar problems. It begins to be a part of their ordinary lives."

Twin Towers
Attacks in Turkey and Egypt in the 1990s did have a major impact, as of course did the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York in 2001. In Egypt, tourists travelling around the country were the first to be targeted; later, beach resorts were also bombed.

Tourists were also shocked by the 2002 Bali bombings, in which 202 people, mainly Western visitors, were killed. The attacks led the Dutch government to advise against travelling to the Indonesian island. A second attack in 2005, however, caused less commotion even though dozens of people were killed.

Colombia
Security and the related issue of crime remain important reasons for visiting or not visiting a country. Mr van Egmond gives the example of Colombia.

"The most obvious country is Colombia. It has everything and would be a great tourist destination, but everybody thinks of it as infamously unsafe and that's why it remains the world's least developed country in terms of tourism."

He thinks that we just expect to be held hostage or become the victims of crime in Colombia. He has the distinct idea that crime has more influence on the choice of holiday destination than the chance of terrorist attack.

Thailand has a much better image than Colombia despite serious unrest in the south of the country. It remains the top exotic destination for both individual and group Dutch holidays. Tourists see little street crime in Thailand.

Organised group holidays
Do today's tourists prefer organised group trips which offer more protection than individual holidays? Mr van Egmond says they do, but suspects that more than one reason lies behind the preference.

http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/globaldevelopment/080729...

By tasco66 on Jul 31, 2008, 07:39 in Friendly Talkzone.

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august says on Jul 31, 2008, 07:45: "'[Colombia] remains the world's least developed country in terms of tourism.'" Now wait a second, I haven´t heard of any Sandals resorts in the Central African Republic... 0 funny, 0 helpful.

bickerss says on Jul 31, 2008, 08:05: "'[Colombia] remains the world's least developed country in terms of tourism.'" yeah right - the author needs to get out more if he / she thinks the above. Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!! 0 funny, 0 helpful.

tasco66 says on Jul 31, 2008, 08:08: Maybe in terms of potential Not being bound to swear to the dogmas of any master 0 funny, 0 helpful.

ozgringo says on Jul 31, 2008, 14:34: I have seen several "Most Dangerous Destinations" lists and Colombia isn't even in the top 20 ! tried to think of something deep to write here.. but couldn't think of anything.. 0 funny, 0 helpful.

ozgringo says on Jul 31, 2008, 14:38: http://www.forbes.com/2007/01/31/most-dangerous-destinations-forbeslif... tried to think of something deep to write here.. but couldn't think of anything.. 0 funny, 0 helpful.

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