Tourism Risk Management - Sustainable Tourism Online

CHAPTER 3: NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR RISK AND DISASTER
MANAGEMENT
Aim of this Chapter
The aim of this chapter is to examine the responsibilities of national governments in risk and disaster
management, and to identify the structures and frameworks within which tourism operators and
destinations can develop their own capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from, crises and
disasters.
Risk Management at the National Level
In general terms, national governments are responsible for the development, coordination and
implementation of policies relating to risk and disaster management. National governments establish
strategic directions for risk and disaster management processes and, in most countries, provide the
funding for related activities. Strategies are developed by the responsible government departments
hosting multi-agency committees with representation from all key stakeholders.
As a significant global industry, tourism is a significant contributor to the economy of most countries,
but it plays a key economic role in developing countries where it can provide the primary source of
foreign exchange and be a major driver of economic development. As the world’s largest nongovernment
economic sector, tourism is particularly vulnerable to the impact of disasters.
As outlined in Chapter 1, the tourism industry needs to draw to the attention of national governments
the legislative, regulatory, and social environment in which tourism operates, the possible threats to
its continued activity from actual or threatened disasters, and the subsequent effects upon a national
economy of any downturn in tourism activities.
Coordination and Partnerships – A National Tourism Council
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. With a
current membership of 150 countries, seven territories and over 300 Affiliate Members representing
the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities, the
UNWTO provides a global forum for tourism policy issues. UNWTO recommends that countries
‘develop a national policy on tourism safety commensurate with the prevention of visitor risks’, and
form national tourism councils with executive committees responsible for risk management in key
areas, according to the needs of each destination. Mixed-sector councils comprising government and
industry participants are essential since many of the necessary actions can and should be
implemented by the private sector. A key committee of a national tourism council would be a national
safety and security committee, responsible for developing and coordinating measures to protect the
tourism industry and its clients at each destination. Government agencies and tourism industry
sectors which should be included on a safety and security committee are:
• National tourism administration/Visitor Board;
• Police;
• Counter-terrorism/security agencies;
• Immigration Department;
• Attorney-General’s Department;
• Customs;
36 Tourism Risk Management – An Authoritative Guide to Managing Crises in Tourism