Evacuating to safety: ensure a clear evacuation plan in accommodation options. Photo Credit: Adobe stock/ ssstocker
As organisations design their business travel plans in 2024, it is
pertinent for them to consider factors that may place their business
travellers at increased risk. International SOS regional security
manager, Bala Selvam, shares insights on how to mitigate these risks
which include rising costs of living, a record number of elections this
year, concerns over AI, and worsening climate conditions.
Risks in 2024
Economic challenges may drive an upswing in criminal activities,
placing business travellers in regions grappling with this issue at
increased risk of crimes such as pickpocketing, theft and mugging. This
was exemplified by the US$8.76 billion retail crime in 2023 across
Australia and New Zealand, highlighted by Phil Thompson, CEO of the
global retail crime intelligence platform, Auror.
Elections are a crucial avenue for voters to address their economic,
political and societal challenges. Over 60 national elections are
anticipated this year but they bring the risk of electoral violence.
During Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, 24 lives were lost with almost
900 were injured.
Worries of electoral violence are further exacerbated with rising
costs of living leading to discontent. In addition, there is a risk of
AI being misused for misinformation and disinformation to influence the
political views of voters.
While 2023 was the hottest year on record since experts began keeping
records, 2024 is expected to see the climate conditions further
worsening. The start of the year saw unyielding rain in parts of
Australia, and a 7.6 magnitude earthquake in Ishikawa, Japan. China
anticipates an even hotter 2024 with more frequent extreme weather
events, increasing the risk for business travellers globally to exposure
against heatwaves, floods, and droughts.
Dealing with such risks
Organisations must identify and evaluate risks when planning business
travel policies and plans. This involves researching deployment
locations, via physical visits or seeking the assistance of risk
professionals.
Evaluate essential factors such as:
· The probability of flight cancellations
· Whether there is a clear evacuation plan in accommodation options
· If there are quality, accessible and adequate healthcare facilities in the region
· Crafting an effective mitigation and response planning
· Regular communication through sessions, e-learning, and simulation exercises.
EventSafe solution
For meeting planners, International SOS provides its EventSafe
solution with an end-to-end and integrated set of services based on
their needs and requirements, as well as local regulations and context.
The EventSafe solution helps meeting planners to plan, mitigate and
manage any medical and security incidents that may occur during an
event’s life cycle, namely pre-event, during, and post-event.
The services leverage International SOS’ expertise and global network
to offer a comprehensive and cost-effective solution to meet the
client’s needs and ensure a safe and successful event.
EventSafe provides an Event Support Plan (ESP), tied to specific
procedures, as well as a pre-event briefing and risk assessment from a
Medical & Security perspective.
The solution provides support to all attendees of an event regardless
of their employment status with the company as long as the client
subscribes to them as attendees/guests for the event.
Additional add-on services for EventSafe include:
· Medical staffing at event
· On the ground support through a dedicated health or security coordinator
· Workshops, webinars and briefing sessions
· Medical equipment and supply
· Hotline/service line services