It is so sad what happened… but terrorist attacks should not prevent anyone of us from exploring the world which we live in.
By choosing to not travel to an area that has been under attack, is like a double whammy to them. Their economy depends on travelers to help support them.

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The WTC site has become a tourist site at this point, and the memorials, and new skyscrapers are far from completion. In fact the whole area is a big ugly hole in the ground construction site. I think terrorist attacks have a very short term effect on tourism. I don’t think anyone making travel plans which may include London, Madrid, or New York, even considers terrorism these days. I’m leaving in about a year to do a long term round-the-world trip. My plan includes 1-2 months touring India, and that plan hasn’t been shaken by recent events. Terrorist attacks like the ones carried out in New York, London, Madrid and Mumbai are short lived and sensationalized, but it is chronic conditions, that cripple local tourism industries. Instability and ineffective governments, gang/rebel/guerilla violence and warfare, long term problems, that receive far less attention, but leave whole populations living in constant terror. My heart goes out to the victims and those who’ve lost loved ones in this and other terrorist attacks, but I do think it is important to keep things in perspective, and not focus solely on events that are easily sensationalized.

“The black masked militias have vanished from most Baghdad streets, and the car bombings are down to one or two a day” this is from an article in today’s Washington Post, which I find to be pretty sensational, because it is about how the turmoil is ebbing in Iraq. As an American, I’m ashamed of my country’s response to terrorism.

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Sorry, I know I have way too much to say, this is a response to the ‘World Madness affecting Tourism’ post, which is from September 06, so it seemed ridiculous to comment on the post directly, but the point raised in that post seems to be renewed by this one so…

Being alive does come with the risk of death, and being part of society does, unfortunately, come with the risk of horrific violence and death at the hands of other human beings. It is important that we stay informed to avoid unnecessarily entering into dangerous situations, but it is also important to not let fear rule our lives and prevent us from living.

When I tell my family about my extended travel plans, I plan to respond to their inevitable concerns for my safety by telling them that I’m far more likely to die in a car accident here at home, than in any of the myriad exotic morbid fantasies that fear of the unknown and media sensationalism has them cooking up for me.

Again, I say its important to keep things in perspective.

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Perspective is important but I fear that all of India (a huge country) will have its tourism seriously tarred by the horrific events in Mumbai. What will be interesting is whether neighbouring countries will get more or less toruism as a result (places such as Sri Lanka, which has also had its share of incidents over the last few years). Let’s hope that India is fairly pro-active in the next year to stabalise tourism in its country and not let the years of good work go wasted. Thailand will go through the same pain with the far more peaceful but disruptive airport protests.

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The potential of the impact is somewhat limited by the fact that the world economy is already hurting tourism. Lets not forget the term “staycation” entered the lexicon this year.

Also let’s hope India has a restrained response to the attacks, as relations with Pakistan are already strained, and a war between the two nuclear powers would certainly cripple tourism, as well as having far greater devastating consequences.

Getting caught up in doom and gloom outlooks is precisely why terrorist attacks are committed. Support and aid the victims, but don’t focus on the negative. I would encourage anyone with means to travel to India, within the coming months. Incidents which make tourist stay away usually lead to great deals, and great service ( and destinations not crawling w/ tourists!).

I’m glad you bring up Sri Lanka, b/c it illustrates my point above perfectly. Terrorist attacks in Mumbai over the course of days kill approximately 200 people. That event garners constant media attention, focus and outcry around the world. Sri Lanka has been at war with rebels since 1983, and 70,000 people have died in the violence. No concerns over Sri Lanka’s tourism industry?

Or what of Burma/Myanmar? Some say it is immoral to travel to Burma, b/c no matter what your helping to fund the illegitimate, unjust, inhumane military junta which rules the country. Others encourage travel to the country, saying that if you travel with the intent to support the locals, your helping people in desperate need. I’ve been struggling with this issue since before the pro-democracy movement was harshly crushed ( which I find to be more devastating than the Mumbai attacks), or the junta’s horrible response to the devastating cyclone which hit not too long ago.

I hate to be so cynical but are we only concerned with area’s that have 5 star luxury hotels frequented by western tourists? Or is it simply a case of puting a frog in boiling water will cause it to violently jump out, while putting a frog in cold water and slowly bringing the water to a boil will cause the frog to sit peacefully and boil to death?

There are worse things than terrorist attacks, I’m just trying to shift focus, and add another point of view to the conversation.

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Hi Darren,
Unfortunately, I’ve got to say that such events do indeed impact my travel choices and they impact the choices of others.
April 23, 2003, the WHO blacklisted Toronto for SARS. While Torontonians merrily went about their business and we ours, (3 hours from Toronto) we were unprepared for what would happen next.

Cancellation, Cancellation, Cancellation.

It’s not the same as a terrorist attack you might say, but the actual risk of dying while visiting a destination is wildly remote. Nevertheless, among other things, Ontario, Canada’s tourism numbers have never recovered from the highs of a decade ago and sit at about 50% of what they were in the late 1990’s.

There have been many factors at play in declining tourism numbers, thankfully, none of them terrorist attacks, but nevertheless, fear of death on one’s holiday, isn’t enticing at all. Most travelers I’m afraid would rather play it safe.

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I look at it this way. What are the chances that even if there is a terrorist attack during my stay, what are the chances that I will be hit? I bet it is much less then to get hit by a car.
Just like an air crash doesn’t stop me from flying, attacks like this one will not stop me from travelling, not even to Mumbai. It’s always a risk to fly and travel and it’s a risk that is worth taking. Terrorist attacks are not the biggest risk and I just do not like to give in to terrorists.

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When I was planning my last trip to India, and there were bombings in Jaipur, I did actually take this off our itinerary. I think that you just have to have common sense. When the airport in Colombo was bombed, it just didn’t seem right flying there after a couple of weeks either. With that said, I love Mumbai, and would go back there in a heart beat.

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