How terrorism affect tourism decision making? Essay Example

& Tourism Council, 1996).

In the past, traveling was a popular activity. However, due to terrorism incidents, the number of people traveling has decreased significantly. Personal safety and security are important factors that influence a consumer's choice of travel destination (Aramberri ; Butler, 2004). This paper investigates the impact of terrorism on consumers' travel decisions and explores the tourism industry as a whole. The case study in New York is utilized to analyze these issues using various methodologies.

The United Kingdom's tourism industry is a significant subject, ranking as the 8th largest global tourist destination. It attracts over 30 million visitors and generates substantial revenue. Notably, Britain is a preferred choice for many American tourists (Hudman ; Jackson, 2003). This industry plays a crucial role in stimulating economic growth through job creation and enhancing infrastructure and other sectors.

The tourism industry is a vital aspect of the country's economy and has garnered attention from economists, the government, and stakeholders. Any adverse effect on the industry is worrisome. Regrettably, despite advancements in the sector, terrorism has emerged as a hindrance that impacts travel to the country.

Background

Tourism plays a crucial part in bolstering a nation's economy by generating foreign currency and fostering job opportunities. Furthermore, it aids in the growth of various interconnected industries.

The tourism industry encompasses travel, airline services, accommodation services, and domestic supply chains that support these sectors (World Tourism Organization., ; United Nations Environment Programme, 2008). Moreover, it plays a crucial role in fostering economic development by providing employment opportunities to millions of individuals. Additionally, it promotes the establishment of fresh enterprises nationwide, thereby increasing job creation and sustainability (Buckley, 2010). Furthermore, tourism

contributes significantly to the UK's revenue through taxation.

Tourism in the UK has led to the growth of various industries such as tour guides, hotels, and entertainment areas who contribute to the country's revenue through taxes (International Business Publications, USA, 2012). Additionally, tourism enhances the quality of life by promoting festivals, sporting events, and special occasions that benefit both visitors and residents, ultimately creating a prosperous community. Furthermore, hosting new events like sports has become a significant role for the UK, thanks to tourism.

The tourism industry in the UK is proud of the England Premier League as it draws many visitors and brings in significant revenue for the country (Downes ; Paton, 2006). However, this industry has suffered from acts of terrorism. In today's society, there is a growing number of terrorist incidents and an increased emphasis on fighting against terrorism (Baker, 2014).

Extremist organizations like al-Qaeda are creating a global sense of unease and making people feel insecure when traveling. As mentioned earlier, individuals consider various factors, including security, when choosing their travel destinations (Writt and Moore, 1992). The presence of terrorist activities has caused a lack of trust in travel, greatly impacting the tourism industry - an important economic source for many. The fear of being targeted by groups such as al-Qaeda has led to a growing reluctance among individuals to visit the UK.

The text highlights the importance of acknowledging that a country may not directly participate in terrorist activities but could be targeted if it aids another nation in fighting terrorism. The example given is the United Kingdom supporting the United States against al Qaeda, making it vulnerable to attacks from extremist groups. Terrorism

has a major impact on the tourism industry, regardless of economic, social, and political factors, leading to negative consequences for many countries globally (Baker, 2014).

Research Aim

This study aimed to examine the impact of terrorism on the tourism industry.

The text discusses the factors influencing an individual's travel decision and how terrorism affects tourists' choice of destination. The research aims to analyze the impact of terrorism on tourist destinations' security, study changes in tourists' decisions based on destination security, and explore ways to attract visitors to areas vulnerable to terrorism. The study highlights the negative effects of terrorism on global economy, social stability, and political situation. Terrorism results in loss of life, environmental damage, and adverse health impacts. In recent times, there has been a notable rise in terrorist acts by extremist groups such as al-Qaeda jeopardizing global security.

Research suggests that terrorism has significantly affected the economies of different countries (Weimann and Winn, 1994). Although there is limited research available on this topic, it is crucial to acknowledge its significance. Therefore, this study aims to examine the worldwide impacts of terrorism on social, economic, and political stability. More specifically, it concentrates on the consequences that terrorist acts have for the tourism industry – a sector heavily influenced by such actions.

The 2001 attack on the highly secured Pentagon by al Qaeda showcased the abilities of extremist groups like them, ultimately leading to nations issuing travel advisories that impacted the tourism sector. The purpose of this research paper is to equip stakeholders with knowledge on how to handle acts of terrorism and examine their impact on a country's tourism sector, economy, social stability, and political stability. It serves as

a reminder of terrorism's harmful effects and encourages global unity in condemning and eradicating such activities.

Exploring this topic may provide suggestions on how customers can be retained despite acts of terrorism, particularly after examining tourist behaviors.

Research Limitations

It is often difficult to conduct a thorough and comprehensive research without financial constraints. This is particularly challenging for students with limited budgets. Successful research is typically funded by large institutions due to the multitude of activities involved.

Due to limited finances, the research heavily relied on secondary resources, which may have questionable reliability due to potential bias influenced by the researcher's personal feelings. Furthermore, analyzing multiple sources for information is time-consuming and sometimes insufficient for a specific subject. Additionally, it proved challenging to obtain respondents for the designed questionnaire.

Moreover, there may have been some exaggeration or bias in the information provided by the respondents. Tourism has been greatly impacted by acts of terrorism, influencing people's decision to visit certain places. Security is a major concern due to the threat of terrorism and plays an important role in consumers' travel decisions. The effects of terrorism on tourism cannot be overlooked and extensive research is necessary to develop strategies for attracting tourists to areas prone to terrorist activities.

During our research, we examined the impact of terrorism on tourism and discussed ways to mitigate these actions and enhance a country's reputation. Some recommendations include strengthening security measures and implementing advertising strategies to promote tourism.

Literature Review & Introduction

Tourism and travel play crucial roles in a country's economy, contributing significantly to its development and stability. The tourism sector serves as the primary revenue source for many nations (Ryan, 2003). To support this industry,

countries invest in various initiatives like heightened advertising efforts, enhanced security measures, and the creation of distinctive tourist attractions.

According to Mariani et al (2014), tourism encompasses various forms, such as people traveling for specific events like sports or conferences. Roth ; Merz (1996) state that it also involves individuals relocating to certain areas to observe manmade and natural resources, experience different cultures, visit wildlife, or for business purposes. This type of travel generates significant revenue for a country. Additionally, the tourism industry plays a crucial role in job creation, sustainability, and other factors mentioned by Rosenbloom (2002). These factors contribute to the economic stability of a nation in multiple ways. The funds generated from this sector can be invested in other areas of the economy including healthcare services.

Moreover, the tourism sector generates income through salaries which can be utilized for individual projects, thereby bolstering a country's economy. Additionally, individuals employed in this industry utilize their earnings to support their children's education, subsequently reducing illiteracy rates. Furthermore, global poverty has been significantly mitigated by tourism. Nevertheless, despite its positive impact on the worldwide economy, the tourism industry is currently encountering threats from diverse tourism activities.

Several studies have focused on the effects of terrorism on tourism, particularly in the United Kingdom. The concept of "terrorism" instills profound unease and induces fear among individuals.

Despite differing definitions from scholars and legislations, terrorism is universally linked to negative outcomes (Hoffman, 2006). Its presence is on the rise globally, instilling fear and adversely affecting institutions vital for economic progress (Council of Europe, 2006). Economists contend that terrorist acts have contributed to the ongoing worldwide financial crisis. The conflict between the United

States and Middle Eastern nations, sparked by al Qaeda's terrorist actions, particularly impacted global economies through its influence on oil prices.

Terrorism has various adverse effects, including loss of life, destruction of property, and instability in politics, society, and the economy (Bingley, 2004). The tourism industry is particularly affected by these acts. Terrorism is a complex concept that elicits different reactions from people. In many societies globally, terrorists are frequently ostracized and strongly criticized.

Acts of terrorism have caused significant harm worldwide, including loss of property and loved ones, children being left without parents, families losing their income sources, and the destabilization of nations. There are different definitions of terrorism, but they all share common aspects (Terrorism: Protection of witnesses and collaborators of justice, 2006).

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly Resolution 49/60 was adopted on December 9, 1994 to discuss "Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism." It states that any criminal activities intended to instill fear, tension, and terror in individuals or societies for political or other reasons are unjustifiable. These actions cannot be justified by political, ideological, philosophical, racial, religious, ethnic or any other justifications.

According to Page & Connell (2007), terrorism is defined as the use of severe violence against individuals that results in property damage and threatens lives. Those involved in such acts also pose a risk to public health and the well-being of society.

The text discusses the disruption of the electronic flow by an individual, particularly related to the use of firearms or explosives, which creates instability in a political system in a specific region (Das & Kratcoski, 2003). Furthermore, terrorism aims to manipulate governmental decisions in favor of the group engaging in illegal activities

and instill fear in the overall population. Often, these acts aim to exert control and gain support for a specific political group, religion, or ideology. Seabra et al, (2014) examine the impact of terrorism on the tourism industry in their article titled "The influence of terrorism risk perception on purchase involvement and safety concern of international travelers."

The study conducted by the authors involved 600 tourists who visited Spain, Italy, and Portugal. The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of current terrorist activities on travelers to these countries. According to Seabra et al, (2014), travelers often rely on terrorism information obtained through social media. The authors define terrorism as acts intended to instill fear in the public and threaten people's safety.

This article suggests that the information obtained from social media directly influences travel plans of these tourists. The authors condemn terrorism and attribute it as the primary cause of global economic regression and wars like the U.S-Iraq war, which resulted from a terrorist attack on the Pentagon.

The research conducted by Seabra et al. (2014) aligns with the definition of terrorism mentioned above, and the topic of their research is directly related to the subject matter of this paper. In Weiss's (2015) study on terrorism, the focus primarily revolves around the impact of nuclear terror and the fear it instills in people. This article argues that while the fear of nuclear weapons is logical, the proliferation of such weapons for use in acts of terrorism intensifies apprehension among individuals. As technology advances, many countries are increasingly arming themselves with more lethal weapons in an effort to ensure their safety. Notably, numerous terrorist groups are

exploiting this technology either by developing their own nuclear weapons or acquiring them from nations that already possess the necessary technology.

The world is becoming increasingly concerned about the potential consequences of these weapons, as they not only result in the loss of life and property, but also have long-lasting health complications that can be felt for generations. According to Weiss (2015), there is a fear that al Qaeda possesses nuclear weapons, which were orchestrated by Osama bin Laden before his death. While these ideas are strongly disliked, the potential acquisition of such weapons by a terrorist group would cause widespread fear. Weiss (2015) also highlights terrorism as an act that has significant negative effects on various institutions, including the tourism sector and global economies.

According to Weiss (2015), the research discussed in this paper focuses on the overall impact of terrorism, including the effects of fear and its detrimental effect on the economy, particularly in the tourism sector. Bassil (2014) examines the effects of terrorist acts specifically on the Middle Eastern tourism industry. The article delves into the impact of these acts on countries like Israel, Turkey, and Lebanon from 1995 to 2007. Based on Bassil's (2014) findings, terrorism adversely affects both domestic and international tourism. The article also explores various factors influencing acts of terrorism.

According to this article, the level of terrorism and the media coverage it receives influences consumers' travel decisions. The paper emphasizes terrorism as irresponsible and cowardly acts that all nations should condemn, as they have numerous negative consequences worldwide. Bassil's (2014) research on the effects of terrorism on the tourism industry aligns with the topic of this paper. Cruz (2015) investigates

the economic factors that drive terrorism, particularly focusing on factors within a country that contribute to these acts.

The article examines three influential factors on terrorism: economic, social, and political. In terms of the economic factor, the author delves into a country's income, economic growth, and unemployment rate. Within the social factor, the article explores political freedom, population size, and income disparity among citizens. Finally, the article addresses political factors. According to Cruz (2015), while all these factors contribute to terrorism, economic and political activities hold significant influence.

According to the article, individuals may resort to acts of terrorism if they feel politically or economically oppressed. The article discusses terrorism as a harmful action with negative consequences for a country's various institutions. This aligns with the topic of the current paper. Malekova & Stanisi (2014) examine public opinions on international terrorism. The article states that the public generally holds a negative view of terrorist acts. Malekova & Stanisi (2014) analyze people's perspectives on this topic based on research conducted in the Middle East and North America. It is found that terrorism has detrimental effects on a nation's well-being, including political instability, social turbulence, and economic regression (Marvell, 2005).

The article discusses the issue of terrorism and emphasizes the need for its eradication. This aligns with the focus of the current paper, which considers terrorism as a destructive act with negative implications for global stability, particularly in the tourism industry. Despite efforts by researchers and scholars to define terrorism by incorporating diverse concepts, a universally accepted definition has not been reached. The expansion of the application of the term due to varying interpretations from researchers, institutions, and scholars has

resulted in the absence of a standardized definition.

For instance, an individual labeled as a terrorist in one community or religion may be regarded as a freedom fighter in another community, impacting the use of the term. Regardless of the case, terrorism is a destructive action that has adverse effects on global peace and our way of life (Marvell, 2005). It is a battle that must be collectively fought against in order to achieve progress worldwide.

Impact of Terrorism on Tourism in the UK

As previously mentioned in the introductory section, tourism is a vital industry in the United Kingdom, contributing significantly to its economic development.

According to Travel ; Tourism in the United Kingdom, (2016), the travel and tourism industry encompasses various sources of revenue such as passenger airlines, leisure attractions, passenger rail, hotels, motels, restaurants, casinos, and gaming. The United Kingdom is abundant in such features. For instance, football is a highly entertaining sport in England. The England Premier League holds immense global significance and contributes significantly to foreign revenue for the country. Alongside other tourism activities, these factors position the United Kingdom as one of the world's leading tourist destinations with millions of travelers visiting to experience its attractions.

According to Travel & Tourism in the United Kingdom, (2016), the consumer base in the UK is not limited to domestic consumers, as it also includes consumers from foreign states. The report states that the travel and tourism sector in the region is growing daily. However, there are emerging reports indicating that the acts of terrorism are having a negative impact on the sector, despite previous reports suggesting a healthy sector. These actions of terrorism are creating a

negative image for the country, causing it to miss out on the opportunity to attract more consumers (Afifi, 2013).

The terrorist activities, including the devastating terrorist attack that occurred on September 11, 2001 in the United States of America, as well as the bomb blast on July 7 in London, had a significant impact on not only the tourism sector in these two countries but also on the global tourism industry. These two major incidents, among others, have instilled fear in people who are concerned for their own safety and have become more cautious about traveling (Thompson & Center for Cooperative Research, 2004). According to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), the attack, particularly in London, greatly affected tourism in the UK, specifically in Central London, as many potential visitors decided against traveling to this area. Bruck and Wickstrom (2004) suggest that certain sectors within a region are more susceptible to the effects of terrorism on tourism than others, with these sectors bearing the brunt of the repercussions. This is particularly true in the tourism industry.

In the travel and tourism industry, provision and consumption happen simultaneously. If there is provision but no consumption, there will be no revenues generated. This vulnerability to terrorism is highlighted by Combs & Slann (2007).

Lennon and O'leary (2004) emphasized that the travel and tourism industry is more affected by acts of terrorism compared to other industries. They asserted that terrorism not only instills fear among people, but also compromises basic human rights, such as security.

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, security is a fundamental need that can greatly impact people's desire to travel and explore new experiences. Pape (2005)

suggests that terrorism not only affects the tourism sector, but also other industries closely related to it, such as hotels and aviation. When a terrorist act occurs, individuals may choose to change their travel plans, which in turn affects the airlines and hotels in the affected areas.

The impact of terrorism on the UK was evident when a bomb exploded in London in 2005. As a result, the number of visitors to the Science Museum dropped by 7%, and the British Museum experienced a 6.8% decrease in visitors. However, attractions such as Madame Tussauds and Alton Towers managed to maintain their appeal. This decline in tourism had a negative effect on hotel income and other related sectors. Lepp and Gibson (2003) found that the revenue from the tourism industry decreased by 12% following the attack in New York in 2001.

According to Sonmez and Graef (1998), the significance of tourism lies in its role as a prominent symbol of capitalism within a nation's economy. Consequently, any threat to this industry is regarded as an assault on a country's governing policies, potentially weakening the government. Winn (1994) highlights the close correlation between media coverage and terrorism, as terrorists often seek to garner attention from the media.

Tourist Decision Making and Safety of the country

Before choosing to travel to a particular destination, tourists take several factors into account. Writte and Moore (1992) conducted research on tourism in Northern Ireland, analyzing the considerations made by tourists when deciding to visit a place.

According to Writte and Moore (1992), the tourism sector in Northern Ireland has been negatively affected by its negative image. In most cases, people visit places to escape the daily

stresses of work in their hometowns, as stated by Brown (1998). However, Brown (1998) also points out that people's desire to escape a boring lifestyle is being hindered by terrorist actions, which instill fear. Malisow & French (2008) emphasize that terrorism undermines global coexistence as it restricts freedom of movement. Lepp and Gibson (2003) identify terrorism as one of the four major factors influencing tourism, alongside political instability, war, and health issues.

Examining other factors reveals that terrorism is a significant concern as it contributes to political instability, war, and negative public health. Sonmez and Grefe (1998) developed a method to assist tourists in choosing their travel destinations. The authors emphasize the pivotal role of media and the internet in informing travelers about events and developments in their desired locations.

When individuals encounter situations that they perceive as threatening to their safety and well-being, they may alter their travel plans. This highlights the adverse connection between the tourism industry and terrorism. It is important to acknowledge the role of media in shaping this relationship. Media has the power to either enhance a nation's reputation or harm it. Ocassionally, the media may embellish a terrorist incident, thus negatively impacting a state's image and ultimately impacting its tourism sector.