The World has become a scary place to live and travel, with terror attacks plaguing world security and new epidemics sprouting now and then. Given this crisis, world’s leading security and medical specialists organization, International SOS and Control Risks, has devised a new way to advise and caution people when traveling. They call it the Travel Risk Map. 2017, and its importance and utility has already made headlines among the important circles.
According to a security specialist of International SOS and Control Risks, Rob Walker, the map can help the travelers and businessmen to make informed decisions and take adequate risk policies before making a move, He said,
“It is essential for decision-makers to have a reliable source of objective information to help them implement travel risk policies and individual travel plans. The extent of the preparation and support employees need could be determined either by medical or security risks or by a combination of both. Companies need to take a comprehensive view when preparing their employees for travel and assignments abroad.”
2016 has been a horrendous year when it comes to unfortunate incidents. This year’s records have shown potential terror attacks having a scary 71 percent probability, Zika virus at 49 percent, and civil unrest at 46 percent. Road accidents and ill-equipped health care came in at 15 percent. The Travel Risk Map has been specifically designed to cater for these problems.
“Events of 2016 have resulted in a sense of increasing challenges in travel to places once thought secure. While risks are changing, organisations must ensure their actions to mitigate those changes are proportionate, and based on reality and not perception. Issues like healthcare provision and road safety, which account for over 70% of the assistance services we have provided in the past year, can often be obscured by more prominent, but less likely issues. With many organizations increasing their business travel activity, it is essential for decision-makers to be able to communicate that objective advice to their people, including in an actual crisis.”
Pic Credits: travelriskmap
It is a fact that almost 80 percent of organizations hold health and security concerns as a primary factor before deciding on travel plans. According to a survey, there has been an increase of almost 48 percent in travel risk mitigation, with more rise expected. Dr. Irene Lai, Medical Director of Information and Analysis for International SOS commented on this,
“It is vital for companies to familiarize themselves and their travelers with the health risks associated with travel and take measures to reduce those risks. While the Zika virus has had extensive media coverage this year, common medical issues which don’t make the headlines, such as traveler’s gastric issues or running out of regular medication, are more likely and can destroy a business trip.”
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