Tourism and Crime - Essay Example

Tourism and Crime Name Course Lecture Date Introduction Tourism security has over time emerged as an essential issue all over the world. This is mainly based on the fact that, global terrorism has been on the rise and good examples of such attacks are the September 11 2001 in the USA and other attacks against tourist locations all over the globe and mostly in countries such as Bali and Egypt. The spectacular increase in number of crime and the wide media coverage has made tourism security as an essential developmental issue that policy makers must take into account. This area of concern is in the right direction based on the significant contribution to a country’s economy. The examining issue that relates to tourism and crime is of great importance based on the fact that, effective crime prevention and eradication of the negative perceptions is more likely to contribute to the economic conditions of the countries through the promotion of tourism and investments. This essay sets out to discuss the idea that tourism and crime appear to be inextricably linked and this will be done by discussing why there is such as a connection and the policy options that are available for combating crime and terrorism. The essay will further discuss whether tourism policy alone can be used to control the problem. Discussion Link between crime and tourism Brunt, Mawby & Hambly (2000) and George (2010), offers a number of areas of themes that focus on crime and tourism and they include tourists as victims, offenders, and perception of people on crime and the impact of tourism on crime levels. Tourism and crime are in a way inextricably linked and this is supported by Nkosi (2010) who asserts that, tourism is major human activity that is very sensitive to and reacts hurriedly to crime. Additionally, Boakye (2011) asserts that, by offering the optimal security to the locals and tourists is imperative and any destination that ignores this issue is on the losing end. The linkage between tourism and crime is an emerging issue in tourism studies and criminology. The increase in tourism activities in a country in some instances increases the types of crime for instance illegal prostitution (Brunt, Mawby & Hambly, 2000; Clift & Carter 2000). The tourism-rigorous surfers' paradise neighborhood in the Gold Coast for instance has high number of criminal activities as compared to the adjacent areas. Based on this evidence, people are more likely to conclude that, the presence as well as the growth in tourism activities is causing amplified crime. Tourism makes a scapegoat based on the ubiquity, visibility and emphasis of tourism on other aspects as the perpetrators. Additionally, some crimes that are as a result of tourism activities are highly publicized by the media and this mainly results in a inconsistent stress on tourism as being the reason for certain crimes. The other viewpoint is on the fact that, tourism growth is typically accompanied by an enormous growth in the population of the residents. In relation to these, the number of criminal activities in a certain area may be increasing with no authentic increase in the per capita crime rate in the area (Prideaux 1996). The link that exists between crime and tourism can be viewed in two major perspectives. The first fosters or entails a criminal connection. A clear distinction need to be made between the crimes that are mainly directly towards the tourists, for instance, the sociocultural impacts of the activities on a certain region and the criminal activities that are committed by the tourists against the locals. This mainly happens since the tourists tend to be wealthier than the locals and that the two groups are in close contact with each other (Prideaux 1996). Resultantly, the tourists put forward a convenient and tempting target to the locals who are in one way or another determined to acquire the tourist’s wealth for themselves. The employees in the tourist attraction sites may also be culprits of sexual assaults of the tourists (Brown 1999). Criminal activities which are most common includes but are not limited to assault, murder and theft and a good example of these are the ones that are connected with tourism-targeted terrorism. There are other criminal activities that are committed by the tourists to the locals or to other tourists. Tourism activities are not intrinsically illegal, but they have a strong association with criminal activities. Gambling is a very good examples of the indirect relationship between crime and tourist activities, this is based on the notion that the taking part of organized crime elements, prostitutes and contestants who may take part in criminal activities in a bid to satisfy their gaming addictions. As a final point, there also exist a number of tourist activities that have an elevated prospect of relapsing into criminal activities since there is presence of drugs and alcohol (Nkosi 2010). Policy options Based on the fact that tourism activities are more related to the perception that people have of the destination, it would be essential to implement a number of policies that are aimed at combating crime and terrorist activities. These events are mainly reported by the various media houses both on the local and international level and they can have numerous implications on the image of a country, its reputation as well as on the tourism activities in the countries. Various governments offer caution to their citizens in regard to visiting countries that seems to be experiencing high levels of crime and numerous terrorists’ attacks (Brown 1999). Policy makers in all countries need to be more proactive and mostly when addressing the broad security concerns and most especially in relation to tourism and mostly in those countries that have a high dependence of the incomes and revenues generated from tourism activities. For instance, in the Caribbean, the government does not take into account the problems associated with crime and terrorism. Government need to be proactive and do a much better job when it comes to protecting this essential industry by implementing a change in the policing tactics. There seems to be no room for gratification, despite the fact that, the already existing policies are based on the postulation of rapid recovery and resilience and the future polices ought to depart from this assumption. Terrorism and crime cannot be left to chance. All governments need to be proactive and the anticipation of the problems in the tourism industry and also in planning as well as implementing policies to ensure rapid recovery (Clayton and Boxill 2012). Based on Stahura, Henthorne, George and Soragham, a major policy that can be used in combating crime and terrorism relates to difference that decision making and good planning can have on emergency planning and the recovery speed after attacks. Based on their arguments, countries which have already placed strong and formidable planning as well as decision making mechanisms, practices and traditions are more resilient as compared to those countries which have not. For instance, in Japan, after the Tsunami and earthquake, the number of visitors touring the country fell by 50% and at the same time, the spending by the tourists also fell by 47%. Over the summer season the number of tourist touring the country increased but it was still low. Resultantly, the government through the Japan Tourism Agency offered free airfares to Japan that amounted to 10, 000 and the participants were to post their report after the visit online. This directive was aimed at reviving the tourism industry in Japan in a faster way. Additionally, governments also needs to combine the soft and hard policing measures as well as educational programs and this should mainly target the youths and this will be essential in avoiding criminal activities among the young people. Furthermore, governments in all countries also need to integrate national security with tourism security as an essential aspect of the national wide security and seek to protect all its citizens. Another policy option relates to the equitable distribution of all their earnings from tourism activities in the country and greater focus should be offered to the improvised communities that live in close proximity to the tourist attractions sites. Through this, the crime levels in the tourist destinations will be reduced and this will be of positive impact to the industry since it will attract more tourists in a country. Despite the fact that various countries are popular destinations for a great number of tourists, the governments have no time to be content but at the same time they should not panic (Baker & Stockton 2014). Thus, all governments need to inaudibly develop the security actions that can protect the industry in the best possible way while concurrently putting measures in place to resolve the societal problems that are facing the host nation. A number of initiatives need to be initiated at the regional, sub-regional and nationals levels and this need to be done in association with other international partners such as the USA and the EU. With the use of all these policy options, the tourism industries in various countries will flourish even in the future. Can tourism policy solve the crime and terrorism issues? Tourism policies cannot solve crime and terrorism. This argument is supported by Hall (2000), who argues that, it would be inappropriate and unprofessional to cut off national security from tourism security issues. His view is also supported by Boxill in the article where he examines Christopher “Dudus” Coke case study. Based on the article, national security and tourism security should not be segregated. Though in countries such as Jamaica, the discussion on development and security tends to segregate urban development from tourism development and this is not the most viable way to act (Brunt, Mawby & Hambly 2000). National security issues in countries ought to be linked to tourism security since the policies in place cannot eradicate crime and terrorism. The urban development problems, the potential attendants as well as the security problems need to be seen as problematical when it comes to tourism security and development. Tourism policies are not in a position to solve the crime and terrorism issues since, despite the many participants in the industry; they also need the support of the government in terms of enforcing of the policies and offering of the manpower that may be needed. Government of tourist destination needs to be more alert and they need to defend the tourism industry since it is an economically vital industry for a number of countries. At the same time, the tourism industry also needs to come up with policies that are aimed at protecting itself and their guests all time around. Through the close collaboration of the government and the tourism participants, there will be a formulation and support of policies that are aimed at enhancing the security of the industry. Through this, there will be an increase in number of tourists in a country. The tourism sector, the government and the safety and security sectors need to tackle safety and crime in a way that does not discourage tourists from making visits to the countries (Clift & Carter 2000). It also ensures that when the tourists visit, they are sure that the place is secure and safe and they can share their experience with others. Additionally, it would be essential to address the local’s fear of insecurity and crime. By doing so, security will be assured to the locals and also to the tourists. This will be done by dealing with the main causes of crime. Conclusion The discussion above shows that crime and terrorism remains essential issues when it comes to the discussion of tourism all over the globe. Crime when viewed in respect to tourism processes ought to be viewed as being part and parcel of the extensive strategies that integrates safety and risk. Thus, planning and strategizing effectively for prevention of crime. The discussion also asserts that tourism policies cannot solve crime and terrorism alone and that support from national security structures is essential if the industry will attain high levels of security to assure locals and tourists and their security and safety. By offering security the tourists are likely to share their experiences with others thus acting as advocates for certain tourist destinations. References Baker D & Stockton, S 2014, ‘Tourism and Crime in America: A preliminary assessment of the relationship between the number of tourists and crime, two major American tourist cities’, International Journal of Safety and Security in Tourism. Issue 5, pp. 1-25. Boakye, K2011, ‘[Tourists’ views on safety and vulnerability: A study of some selected towns in Ghana’, Tourism Management. Boxill, I 2012, ‘Linking tourism security to national security’, Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 4 No. 1, pp. 26-31. Brown, H 1999, ‘Sex Crimes and Tourism in Nepal’, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol.11, no. 2/3, pp. 107-10. Brunt P, Mawby R & Hambly Z 2000, ‘Tourist victimization and the fear of crime on holiday’, Tourism Management, vol. 21, pp. 417-424. Clayton, A & Boxill, I 2012, ‘Conclusions: tourism, crime and terrorism: what are the risks, challenges and policy options?’, Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 98-100. Clift, S & Carter, S 2000, Tourism and sex: Culture, commerce and coercion, Pinter Publishers, London. George R 2010, ‘Visitor perceptions of crime-safety and attitudes towards risk: The case of Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town’, Tourism Management, vol. 31, pp. 806-815. Hall, C 2000, Tourism Planning: Policies, Processes and Relationships, Prentice-Hall, London. Stahura, A, Henthorne, T, George, B & Soragham, E 2012, ‘Emergency planning and recovery for terror situations: an analysis with special reference to tourism’, Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 4 Iss: 1, pp.48 – 58. Nkosi, G 2010, ‘The impact of crime on tourism in the city of UMhlathuze, KwaZulu-Natal’, South Asian Journal of Tourism and Heritage Studies, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 76-81. Prideaux, B 1996, ‘The Tourism Crime Cycle: A Beach Destination Case Study', In Pizam, A. & Mansfeld, Y. Tourism, Crime and International Security Issues, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester. Read More