Disaster Risk Management for Coastal Tourism - Caribbean Hotel ...

Disaster Risk Management For Coastal Tourism Destinations Responding To Climate Change
A Practical Guide For Decision Makers
Developing the Disaster Preparedness Plan
The next step is writing the disaster preparedness plan. Its main purpose is to assist
victims in the immediate aftermath of the disaster and to set the destination on a
path of recovery and business continuity in accordance with the plan.
When developing the plan,
response mechanism – that is, it is institutional in scope. A capability
plan and focuses the Coordinating Group in developing corrective actions.
2 Second, the Coordinating Group in collaboration with the local disaster
management and tourism agencies should assemble a small team of
experts to write the plan, taking into account all feedback received from the
wider group of stakeholders. This provides consensus and industry buy-in,
critical for successful plan implementation.
3 Third, the plan must be an approved public document through formal
approval and adoption by the responsible local authority, in order to
proceed to plan implementation. The latter is a cooperative public and
private activity.
The disaster preparedness plan must be relevant to the size and complexity of the
tourism destination and community and consider all relevant hazards. For it to be
accepted by the industry, it should also be clear and concise delineating the roles
and responsibilities of all of the collaborating local governmental agencies, groups
and emergency support functions for all phases of the disaster management cycle
(prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery). Technical jargon should be at a
minimum, yet all the main steps required for preparing tourism communities should
be addressed.
Among other procedures, it should explain the early warning systems and triggers
for activating or deactivating emergency actions, evacuation and sheltering including
critical access and exit routes, and the procedures for mobilizing emergency
personnel and resources. Procedures for activating and operating national, regional
or local emergency operations centres and the incident command system should
the typical disaster preparedness plan.
Implementing the Preparedness Plan
the overall emergency management system, as well as any challenges related to
personnel, equipment and other resources. Plans may be simulated as modular or
of all types and scales are necessary for training essential staff in organizational
discipline, cooperation and execution of plan requirements. This is especially
important for the tourism industry with its interactive supply chain.
12