Tourism Risk Management - Sustainable Tourism Online

Foreword
The world travel and tourism industry only recently began to return to pre year 2000 levels of growth
and stability following the series of tragic events which shook the foundations of the industry.
This second APEC report provides an essential guide on the processes associated with developing a
risk management strategy for a tourism destination or business and how to implement and maintain
these plans over time. Most importantly the guide provides a practical framework from which both
businesses and destinations can apply crisis management strategies for prevention, preparedness,
response and recovery.
The workshop training packages which accompany this guide have been designed to provide a
platform to stimulate open information exchange and learning.
A central lesson in all the case study material contained in this guide is that, in times of crisis,
residents and visitors need firm leadership and direction. Adequate planning for what has in the past
been seen as the ‘unexpected’ can be the difference between a well-managed problem and a social
and economic disaster. Through working with existing disaster management bodies, government
agencies and key tourism stakeholders the tourism industry can learn to address risk management
issues and reduce the impact of crises and disasters on the growth and viability of this important
industry.
Developing effective relationships with the media and sharing information in a transparent way are
critical issues. A full chapter of this report is dedicated to media and information management; so
important are they in an age of almost instantaneous communication.
We look forward to working with our key partners in taking forward the recommendations and
guidelines contained within the workshop manuals and this guide.
Sir Frank Moore AO
Chair
APEC International Centre for Sustainable Tourism (AICST)
ii
Tourism Risk Management – An Authoritative Guide to Managing Crises in Tourism