COMCEC Tourism Outlook 2017
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Figure 5.1 Time to recover from crises (Months)
Source Adapted from ITB (2015).
Depending of the severity of the crises destinations might experience sharp declines in arrivals
and receipts. In order to handle these different types of crisis, a strategic approach is needed for
both organizations and destinations. Since the impacts of crises are international and
unpredictable, countries should incorporate crises management structures into their planning
especially considering image building, assurance, safety and recovery incentives for the
industry.
Because of increased frequency and global nature of crises such as terrorism, crisis management
became essential for all destinations (Santana 2004). The multi-stage (i.e. risk management,
response and recovery) and multidisciplinary nature of crisis management (e.g. economics,
politics, sociology, psychology, environmental science, management etc.) requires a systemic
approach and a comprehensive effort.
Given the importance of this issue, COMCEC Tourism Working Group would focus on crises
management in its 10th Meeting to be held on September 21st, 2017. An analytical study on
“Risk & Crisis Management in Tourism Sector: Recovery from Crisis in the Member Countries”
has been prepared to identify the measures member countries which can be taken to revamp
the tourism sector before, during and after crisis.
Crisis and risk management planning includes establishing structures to develop policies and
courses of action to be taken and covers arrangements and procedures based on seven phases;
Pre-Crises Contingency, Prodromal, Emergency, Intermediate Recovery, Midterm Recovery,
Long TermRecovery, Resolution. The principle actions at each stage are displayed on Figure 5.2.