EDITORIAL - Medium risk for travelers

As pandemic risks ease, the Philippines is earning raves as a tourist destination. The raves, however, could be nullified by security risks. In the latest annual Global Risk Assessment Report, the Philippines was classified as “medium risk” due to criminality, sporadic unrest and weak capability to manage crises and threats to personal security.

The assessment is drawn up by Global Guardian, a duty of care company providing travel risk mitigation services for Fortune 500 companies and individuals with high net worth. Its services include kidnap coverage and medical evacuation for member clients.

This week Global Guardian released the interactive 2023 Global Risk Assessment Map. The country risk rankings are based on crime, health issues, terrorist threats, civil unrest, political stability, natural disasters and infrastructure. The color-coded map highlights areas of geopolitical tension and assesses the risks of escalation, with countries classified under low, moderate, medium, high and extreme risk.

Countries listed under “extreme risk” are Ukraine, Pakistan, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso. Mexico is classifed under “high” risk because of drug cartel violence. The Philippines is ranked under “medium risk” alongside top holiday destinations Thailand, India and Turkey.

Marked green on the map and classified as “low risk” travel destinations are Germany, Poland, Norway, the Republic of Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Japan and Canada. These countries, Global Guardian said, “are considered highly stable. These countries maintain a strong rule of law and are capable of containing threats to safety and security.”

Since COVID mobility restrictions started easing worldwide, the Philippines has received high marks as a destination worth considering for post-pandemic revenge travel. Those high marks from travel magazines and websites, however, must be backed by the proper services and environment that will satisfy travelers and make them conclude that the positive reviews were accurate.

The pandemic isn’t over, and navigating the requirements of international travel in the time of COVID remains complicated. At the end of a trip, travelers must conclude that all the hassle was worth it. The Philippines has sufficient natural and man-made attractions to merit the high marks, but positive reviews must be sustained.

Even without a pandemic, travelers want clean surroundings and access to proper health care. The COVID emergency should have led to improvements in health care services nationwide including in tourist destinations. Filipinos in the service industry are renowned for tender loving care; this reputation must be sustained. And even before the pandemic, travelers have wanted some assurance of personal security. The latest risk rankings should lead to greater efforts to improve public safety, not just for visitors but for all people in this country.