Book Review: Tourism Security

Reviewed by Terry V. Culver, CPP

01 July 2015

Print Issue: July 2015

Tourism security is no longer an afterthought. With the reach of terrorist groups expanding to countries all over the world and the recent spread of Ebola, tourists need to be vigilant about security and safety. Tourism Security: Strategies for Effectively Managing Travel Risk and Safety is timely in its release and a good reference for the tourism security manager.

The introduction can be bypassed if the reader wishes, but the meat of the book is valuable and all-inclusive. The chapters covering lodging security, public venues, and aquatic tourism are industry-specific and contain many actionable tips and steps for a sound security plan.

The best tools in the book deal with risk and crisis management. Its useful Risk Management Model addresses crucial risk management techniques that a tourism security specialist can put to use right away.

Other chapters cover transportation security, economic issues, and legal considerations, all of which must be considered by security specialists. The worksheets and checklists are worth taking the time to read and use. The book concludes with detailed case studies of four popular tourist destinations in the Western hemisphere.

Reviewer: Terry V. Culver, CPP, CMAS (Certified Master Anti-Terrorism Specialist), is a security program specialist for Georgia Tech Research Institute. She has more than 25 years in defense and industry security management.