QUESTIONS
How do municipalities, states and countries respond
to crisis in relation to tourism?
STATUS REPORT
Many tourism businesses, not to mention regional
and national ministries, are reluctant to announce problems
and crisis is rarely presented in a way that provides updated
information for visitors.
The consequence for not engaging the public in
dialogue about crisis and tourism is a diminished level of trust
for official sources. Said one colleague about a state tourism
website that was not updated, "if they are not telling
the truth about this, how can I trust anything they say?"
A vicious cycle ensues. Tourism officials deny
that visitors are interested in social, natural and political
realities. Visitors as well as migrants use official sources
less and less.
At the diplomatic level governments are quick
to alert citizens to possible problems, but they usually lag
in letting travelers know when conditions improve. One question
locals ask is why the travel advisories remain in effect so
long.
RECENT EXAMPLES
Asia, 2004 tsunamis
Ecuador, 2004 political conflicts
England, 2005 metro attacks
Mexico, Yucatan, 2006 Hurricane Wilma and its aftermath
Mexico, Oaxaca, 2006-2007 teacher strike and travel advisories
United States, 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina
Fiji, 2007 Coup
ABOUT THIS DIALGOUE
In 2007 Planeta.com is conducting a private dialogue
about "Tourism, Crisis and Communication."
The private dialogue among professionals working
in this field reviews how tourism ministries, pr agencies and
local businesses and place-specific websites respond to disaster.
We are asking colleagues a few questions:
Where should travelers seek trusted information?
Are there examples of collaborative work toward
communicating crisis-related news for travelers?
How reliable are travel advisories?
What are some examples of tourism ministries advising travelers
of crisis-related news?
How do hotels and tour operators respond to
cancellations?
UPDATES
Planeta.com will use information to update our
place-specific guides. We will also be updating the following
essays:
Toward Effective Communication in Responsible Travel and Ecotourism
Defending
the tourists
Reality
Tourism in Oaxaca
Ethical Travel
Stones
in the road
Wish
list
Security
REFERENCES
Blogging:
Consider the Conversation
Slum
Tourism - Foreign Policy Blog
Flor
y Canto: Interview with Ron Mader
The
truth behind the World Press Photo winner - Foreign Policy Blog
PLANETA FORUM
Africa News
GUIDELINES
FLICKR
What
is the value of attention?
After
Katrina
after
wilma
ONLINE
FLICKR
WIKI
Crisis
ONLINE
WIKI
QUOTABLE
En crisis puede dejar cosas positas en medio de un desastre.
(In a crisis, you might find some positive things in the middle
of a disaster.)
- Conversation
SIDEBAR: GOOD ADVICE
During a visit, diplomatic officials advise that
travelers not participate in demonstrations. Should you encounter
a protest, avoid getting caught up by going in the opposite
direction.
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