Geographic information on preparedness, crisis management, recovery and resilience
By using our global network, we share lessons learnt and best practices from around the world. Additionally, we expand the conversation through broad distribution.
Just click on a region or area for valuable white papers, analysis or articles. Information is supplied by leaders in both the public and private sectors. Furthermore, we combine content from within the travel industry as well as from industries associated to travel.
Africa
Economic impact on East and Southern Africa
The rate and global spread of infection by coronavirus (COVID-19), and the related sense of panic across a globalized, financial, political and social architecture sets this pandemic apart.
Chile
Global Rescue: On the ground in Chile
A million demonstrators took to the streets in Santiago, Chile, while dozens of smaller protests were taking place throughout the South American country.
Tourists like Ricardo Siman, CEO of a chain of department stores and three family members, were caught up in the civil unrest.
“We were in Punta Arenas (in southern Chile) going to evening church services. When we came out of Mass we saw soliders fire water cannons at protesters and then they started firing tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. We saw the turmoil was growing. So we made it back to our hotel and made plans to fly out the next day, first to Santiago and then Atacama, but all the flights were canceled because the airport was closed.”
Egypt
Tourism insecurity in Tunisia spreads over to Egypt and Turkey
As a result of the attacks in Tunis at the end of June, the decrease in security perception and demand has also extended to other predominantly Muslim tourist destinations.
On Thursday 27th June, terrorism struck again in Tunis with a double suicide attack, thus tarnishing a tourist season that was set to be prosperous. This double attack has shattered the relative peace of the last few years, a far cry from the wave of attacks in 2015 which had previously ruined the country’s tourist sector.
Global Rescue evacuates employees and students from Egypt during the Arab Spring
In January 2011, Global Rescue successfully evacuated over 200 employees, students and others from Egypt during the height of the Arab Spring uprising.
As the only integrated provider of medical, security, evacuation, intelligence and crisis response services, Global Rescue was able to bring unparalleled resources to successfully respond to the challenges faced by those impacted by this crisis.
Greece
The American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce presents the results of the survey on the impact of COVID-19
The emergence and spread of the new COVID-19 virus, poses a serious threat not only for the global health but for the global economy as well, with unforeseen consequences so far.
Major economic sectors are facing severe damage, while concerns about a potential economic recession are increased.
The American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, in response to the general concerns and uncertainty of the Greek business community, conducted a survey on the impact of COVID-19 from 16/03 until 20/03.
Haiti
Global Rescue Disaster Response Team in Haiti
In January 2010, a deadly 7.0 earthquake rocked the tiny nation of Haiti, devastating the capital Port-au-Prince and leaving hundreds of thousands dead, countless more injured, and nearly 1 million homeless. Within a few hours of the earthquake, Global Rescue began sending personnel and resources to the region.
Global Rescue’s on-site teams totaled 25 experienced responders, including special operations veterans, paramedics, and search and rescue specialists. Global Rescue personnel worked around the clock throughout Port-au-Prince and the surrounding Haitian countryside for approximately two weeks.
Italy
COVID-19 crisis: Collapse of the tourism sector in Italy
The Security Perception of the main European markets has dropped substantially, while the flight and hotel prices show a lack of demand.
Italy is the most affected Western country by the COVID-19 crisis, with over 3,000 confirmed cases and over 100 deaths as of the 5th of March. This public health crisis is directly affecting the tourism sector, which is facing an unprecedented challenge.
Mexico
Tourism in Mexico: resisting the impact of COVID-19
Together, Mabrian Technologies’ Travel Intelligence Platform and the consulting firm Interamerican Network have carried out a study regarding the effects of the crisis on confidence levels, tourism demand and air connectivity between the country and its main international markets in America.
Nepal
Helping Nepal rebuild for a more resilient future
An article from one of ICF’s disaster management specialists explains the role that case managers can play in the aftermath of a disaster. For over 15 years, Candye Anderson has helped state and local governments around the world recover from natural disasters.
The role of relationship building in case management
Her piece explains that the role of a case manager goes far beyond processing an applicant’s paperwork. When someone applies for help, they are often in a vulnerable and difficult position. Anyone who has lost their home in a natural disaster needs considerable support. The aim of case management should always be to help applicants to feel hopeful again and able to sense the possibility of recovery.
Global Rescue: Mission Brief
Each year Global Rescue deploys personnel to Nepal to support and assist our members who are climbing and trekking throughout the region.
Global Rescue conducted more than 100 field rescue and evacuation missions last year in the Himalaya and provided countless medical advisory operations.
Since the beginning of 2019, Global Rescue has successfully completed 87 operations in Nepal, with active personnel currently on the ground.
Singapore
Singapore is getting a lot right in its response to COVID-19 – What can governments and businesses learn from the example?
As the world battles to contain COVID-19, Singapore is one of a few countries that has set a good example in effectively managing the health crisis without yet having to resort to a full lockdown and its associated dire economic consequences.
Although it is fortunate in having a strong healthcare system, a small population (~5.6 million) in a concentrated area and the financial means to support it, much of its success can be attributed to strong management practices and balanced, targeted remedies that could be universally applicable.
From utilising a strong response framework designed after SARS, to novel strategies to enforce compliance with Stay Home Notices (SHN), numerous learnings are available from Singapore’s response. A few, relevant for businesses and governments around the world, are highlighted below.
Spain
Holiday Rental in Spain: over 60% occupancy in August
The evolution of holiday rental occupancy for August shows a clear positive trend both in rural and beach locations, according to a study carried out by the Travel Intelligence consultancy firm Mabrian Technologies.
This information would confirm the trend that seems to show that, in the midst of the health crisis, demand for holiday rentals exceeds the demand for hotels during the most important month of the summer season in Spain.
By type of establishment, it’s important to highlight that demand for rentals in rural locations is almost on par with rentals in beach locations, for a month where demand has traditionally always been for coastal locations.
Coronavirus deaths in Spain stabilise.
The number of daily coronavirus deaths registered in Spain was 435 on Wednesday, according to the latest figures supplied by the Health Ministry. This is a slight rise from yesterday’s figure of 430.
There has also been a slight rise in the number of new cases. In the past 24 hours, there were 4,211 registered infections, compared to 3,968 on Tuesday. This is a rise of 2% of the total, which is in keeping with the trend over the past five day
Covid-19 Crisis: Spain’s tourism sector shows signs of downturn in the short term
The rapid increase in the number of people infected by the virus as of March is having an impact on the confidence and demand from the main markets for Spanish destinations.
In just a matter of days, Spain has become the third most affected country in Europe in terms of COVID-19 infections, with over 2,000 confirmed cases. Despite control measures put in place and reassuring messages from the health authorities and tourism sector in the last week of February, the rapid increase in the number of cases has had a clear impact on confidence and demand indicators since the beginning of March.
Tunisia
Tourism insecurity in Tunisia spreads over to Egypt and Turkey
As a result of the attacks in Tunis at the end of June, the decrease in security perception and demand has also extended to other predominantly Muslim tourist destinations.
On Thursday 27th June, terrorism struck again in Tunis with a double suicide attack, thus tarnishing a tourist season that was set to be prosperous. This double attack has shattered the relative peace of the last few years, a far cry from the wave of attacks in 2015 which had previously ruined the country’s tourist sector.
Turkey
Tourism insecurity in Tunisia spreads over to Egypt and Turkey
As a result of the attacks in Tunis at the end of June, the decrease in security perception and demand has also extended to other predominantly Muslim tourist destinations.
On Thursday 27th June, terrorism struck again in Tunis with a double suicide attack, thus tarnishing a tourist season that was set to be prosperous. This double attack has shattered the relative peace of the last few years, a far cry from the wave of attacks in 2015 which had previously ruined the country’s tourist sector.
