Tourism Security and Safety Conference in Davao City

TOURISM SECURITY AND SAFETY CONFERENCE

SMX, Lanang, Davao City (August 23-25, 2016)

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       TOPICS:

1.       Establishing Security and Emergency Response Department

2.      International Terrorism

3.      Landmark cases on Tourism Security

4.      Hotel and Travel: Inseparable with Tourism

5.      Linking HR and Security and Safety Risks

6.      Events: Security Preparedness

7.      Policies in Tourism Security

8.      National Tourism Situationer

Day 1: National Tourism Situationer and the Tourism Systems as a whole

“We look at our structures (including own buildings) as a tourism spot - airlines not as aviation centers but as an attraction…security guards as tourism officers” explained Mr. Sigfried Mison, the guest speaker of our convention. Mr. Mison further explained that; in a system where we have a government that do not understand tourism, and tourism people who do not understand the government, the marriage between their orientation and thinking is the only way to make sure that tourism will thrive.

 The tourism industry, which involves many aspects, contributes to ten per cent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product. In the Philippines, it is responsible for 8.2% of our GDP and it involves one out of eleven people in the entire country. It is a people’s business. As such, there is a need to protect the industry from external and internal factors; terrorism, criminality, under-investment on businesses’ security, health risks, and other threats.

“Speak well about our Country” encouraged Ambassador Marciano Paynor, who hinted that Filipinos are the first to speak against our tourism marketing and promotions. “When we speak bad things about our country, we most likely deprive economic opportunities for our people..” he explained.

Day 2: Tourism Security and Safety (Special Topic: Event’s Safety)

In the present National Tourism Situationer, the Philippines ranked 128th out of 141 countries as to tourism safety and security. The indicators include reliability of tourism services, peace and order, and the state of stability and well-being of the receiving community. This begs the question:"Is our home safe for visitors?". All speakers highlighted that even without marketing and promotions, "Safety sells in tourism". This means that visitors, in addition to feeling a sense of community, must also have a sense of comfort and safety. This, without a question, involves the effort of all. As exhibit "A". the conveners presented the Davao Public Safety Center set-up (including the 911 system), and other systems used by tourism stakeholders to promote a culture of safety for tourists. 

Insights:

In Tourism Security Operations, they classify the asset as either “natural attraction” or “man-made attraction”. Because “natural attractions” can easily be secured, the speaker focused on man-made attractions, which includes the ever popular “Special Events”.

Important definitions: 

1. Situation • a condition or combination of conditions that exist at a particular time
2. Security Situation • is a situation that is or may be potentially a security threat event or incident
3. Security • the state of being free from danger or threat
4. Incident • a security event or occurrence
5. Emergency • a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action (potential for loss of life or great damage)
6. Disaster • a sudden event, such as an accident or a natural catastrophe, that causes great damage or loss of life

 Special Events under “Events Tourism” includes Festivals, Parties, Conferences, Summits, Exhibitions, Fairs, Meetings, Games and Sports, Religious activities and other events which draws people. These involve high-level of operations since they come with many risks and threats. Although such events only last for a short duration, they nevertheless involve long and careful planning.

Special Events management must always ensure effective preparation. That is why organizers should always consider the following areas: Administration, Design, Marketing, Operations, and Risk management (ADMOR).

Events are planned disasters that is why there should be “Command Centers” to monitor the whole activity, and Security Plans. Events and Tourism Security all comes with a cost (for peace of mind). We should weigh public safety versus public sentiment. In the end, lives are more important than criticism.

The third Day of the Conference is a city tour where I got the impression that the best security multiplier is a town with a sense of community. People who look after their own neighborhood is an effective deterrent to criminality and other threats to tourism.

Daghang Salamat Davao!

(A week after the Security and Safety Conference, a terrorist bombing happened there days ago. It  was unbelievable in so many levels - like a foreshadowing of a future event. But that is what terrorists do, they strike the heart of the current efforts of security and safety. Let us be vigilant and unite against people who are bent on destroying our country and all the lives in it.)