THE distressing and tragic events in Uganda highlight a significant trend in the incentive travel market – a ‘fear factor’ is emerging which is narrowing the perceived choice of destinations.
But real or imagined threats towards personal safety are only a part of the story – other concerns include hygiene, illnesses, quality of infrastructure, pollution, language difficulties, guilt and emotional stress in poor countries, religious zealotry, dangerous driving and crowded roads, and not least, the fear of sexual harassment.
The result is that more and more potential incentive venues are being discounted, or under-utilised, among them: Israel, India, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Vietnam, Oman, Istanbul, Jordan, various Latin American and African countries, plus regions within the former Soviet Union.
Whilst violence directed towards tourists is unforgivable, there is a danger that event organisers will become over-cautious and demand rigorous exclusion zones. In contrast, German buyers have always been more adventurous, seeking to balance the calculated risks against the appeal of a unique incentive in an untried venue.
Therefore, may I use this letter to urge buyers and suppliers to look more objectively at places where the image may be questionable, and to make sure decisions taken are not based simply on lack of product knowledge.
With Foreign Office approval, and with proper reconnaissance, insurance, security and selected standards of infrastructure, there is no reason why a pioneering attitude towards incentive destinations should not still make sense – for all concerned.
Katerina Creedon
Account team manager
Banks Sadler Incentives
London