Analysis –
Paradise Lost: Tsunami Article
- As the clear up operation continues in the Indian
Ocean, we asses the impact and possible long-term
effects of the Tsunami on the travel promotions industry.
The facts hardly bear repeating:
on December 26th 2004 the biggest earthquake for 40
years occurred, triggering a tsunami – a series
of large waves – that spread thousands of kilometres
over several hours. With the death toll at 220,000
and continuing to rise as more bodies are found during
the clear up operation, all attention is now on the
rest of the world to help the disaster-hit areas,
and to examine how such a human tragedy could be averted
in the future.
And there’s a focus too,
on the contribution that the travel industry can make…more
than 800 foreign tourists are dead, missing or unaccounted
for after the tsunami devastated some of the world’s
most popular resorts.
Airlines and travel operators
were quick to offer immediate help. As Justine Clement,
Director of travel promotions specialist Unmissable
says: “It’s good to see the industry working
to help affected regions rather than bemoaning their
lot.
“There has been huge media
attention to the effects that terrorism, war and disease
have had on the travel promotions sector. Each has
taken their toll but the industry has bounced back
every time, although not without casualties. The Asian
tsunami is, however, different.
“The effects of this latest
blow to the travel industry are not the same as those
we’ve encountered in the past – partly
because of the sheer level of devastation but also
because it’s a natural, rather than man-made
disaster.
“Look around the travel
industry at the moment you will see little talk of
the impact to businesses, but purely action in the
form of helping the existing channels of aid and initiatives.
These consist of wider groups such as the Travel Aid
"50" which donates 50p per booking to tsunami
relief projects, to very specific projects set up
by stand alone companies. British Airways have channelled
their "Change for Good" to Unicef projects
for the month, not to mention the work they and other
airlines have done in repatriation flights and delivery
of provisions and aid.”
So it is too early to asses
the impact on travel companies within the sales promotion
industry ?
“Any reputable travel
promotion specialist will have solid procedures and
fall backs in place for these ‘acts of god’
even when they are on such an unimaginable scale.
Booked holidays and promotions will already have been
quickly re-arranged to take place at a later date
or at an alternative destination, so apart from sorting
out the logistics the impact will be relatively manageable,
“ says Clement.
“For the immediate future
regions such as the Caribbean will see a rise in transfer
of clients, particularly given that it can offer favourable
weather conditions at this time of the year. The less
effected regions of the Indian Ocean, such as some
parts of the Maldives that are not already operational
will be by the Spring.
“For the longer term future
of the key tourist areas badly affected, the message,
whilst taking into consideration foreign office advice
and the facilities available, is simply to maintain
current bookings and encourage further business where
possible.
“The dangers of an economic
tsunami could worryingly have greater long term effects
than the tragedy that has unfolded in recent weeks.
The support of hotels, airlines and local tourist
businesses is vital to the future of areas where tourism
is the lifeblood of the economy.
“It is testament of the
donations, made by not only by the individuals, but
the companies in the travel industry as a whole that
efforts are focused on the universal task of providing
the support to the victims and effected areas as soon
as possible.”
ENDS
For further information,
please contact:
Jane Lowen, The Press Office, 01580 764721
jtlowen@aol.com
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