Safety and Terrorism in Destinations

The fear of terrorist in destination and the safety of tourist

The safest destinations in the world as recently outlined by the Institute for Economics and Peace has become a source for debate and most countries especially some in Africa hasten to deny the algorithm including that of the Global Peace Index as unpalatable for their taste. They argued that this will drive tourist away from their country or rather as an unfavourable place for economic development and should not have been published.

Inevitably, countries such as Nigeria and Kenya are on the list of unsafe destinations. More is the pity as Kenya is one of the most sorts after tourism destination in Africa. Now added to that are Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan, Somalia even the prosperous tourism destination like South Africa. In the Americas, evidences were given for Mexico, Colombia, and a host of other American nations.

Safety and tourism is a big issue and most destinations should be aware of this. Example is the attack on Tunisian resort town of Sousse, where gunmen rampaged the popular resort town killing 5 British tourist. Tunisians, Belgians, Germans and at least one Irish tourist are among the dead. The impact of this is evidenced in the rapid exit of foreign tourists from Tunisia, leading to fall in revenue generation and uncertainty in the country.

There are many cases of attacks on tourists in many destinations recently. Should the issue of safety of tourists be taken seriously through the publication of the annual Peace Index by the Institute for Economic and Peace?

Safety in destinations should not be linked to issues of terrorism alone. There are the issue of natural disaster as the case of Nepal’s earthquake may dictate; unprecedented political demonstration that cripple a country’s freedom to roam and targeting tourist in their wakes; health issues as in the case of Ebola that plagues countries like Sierra Leone and Liberia and some other West African nations.

For the sake of the tourist who came peacefully to spend their hard earned income and boost the economic development of the country, they should be informed of the political situation to safe guide them. Tourism destinations with terrorism in their wake should be identified on the Index, paving the way for pressure on the State to tackle the problem.