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1 April 2004
Terror troubles travelers
Spain is the most recent victim... but not the last
By Terry Riley
"Is
it safe for Americans to travel overseas?" This is perhaps the most common question
I'm asked by my stateside clients and the occasional reporter. And following events such as the railway bombings in Spain this
past month, the question is usually and anxiously prefaced with, "In light
of the recent terrorist attacks...."
To this question, my answer is always the same: No, it is not safe
for Americans to travel overseas. Never has been. Never will be.
But having said that, let's put things in perspective. Whether for
leisure or business, travel is a part of American life, and just as in every other facet of
that life,
it is risky. We can "contain," "control," "manage,"
"minimize," and "mitigate" risk, but we can never "eliminate" it.
Sure, the threat to Americans from terrorists increases the risk of
travel—but
only by a hair. The leading killers of Americans traveling overseas remain
traffic accidents, heart attacks, and disease—not terrorists.
Moreover, there is no way to foresee where terrorists will strike
next. It is downright impossible. Successful terrorist attacks occur exactly where people—especially experts—are
least likely to predict them. Indeed, that is what enables terrorists to
effect successful attacks.
The U.S. State Department didn't give travelers any warning about the
Spanish bombings. And precisely one month earlier, iJET risk management services, actually removed Spain from
its "List of 10 Most Terrorism-Prone Countries."
My point is this: The concern with terrorists attacking American
travelers is real, but it is exaggerated and misplaced. We simply cannot
know where the next strike will be.
Does
this mean that Americans should just forget about being cautious when
traveling? Of course not. But the answer to "managing" risk is not to stay
home. It is to keep informed, to be alert, and to trust your intuition when
traveling.
© 2004 Applied Psychology
Related Err Travel columns:
Rent-a-victim - Rental counter is a
dangerous place
Toons terrify tots - Cartoons may bring
back serenity
... and from Travel Fox:
Pilots win right
to carry AK-47s - Fitting missiles to planes may be next
TSA makes shoes
"optional" - Shirts and shorts are still required
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