Tourists are prepared for holidays, not disasters

When disaster strikes, tourists become a vulnerable group. Researcher warns that they are often overlooked in contingency plans.

There are significant differences between countries when it comes to preparedness for tourists.

(Photo: Shutterstock / NTB)

Walter Norman Wehus Communications Adviser

Presented by: University of Agder

Published 10 February 2025 - 00:01

For several years, Norway has had a well-developed system for public safety. Researchers now warn that tourists are often an overlooked group in emergency preparedness planning.

“Tourists think about new experiences when they arrive in a new country, not about the risk of natural disasters or crises,” says Professor Jaziar Radianti at the University of Agder.

In a new study, she points out that language barriers, lack of knowledge about local hazards and alert systems, and cultural differences mean that we should consider tourists a vulnerable group on a par with children, young people, and the elderly.

“Such barriers can act as situational disabilities, creating temporary limitations that arise from individuals´ environments or circumstances, preventing them from performing normal tasks,” says Radianti.

Preparedness for tourists

Although the government's new comprehensive white paper on preparedness covers several aspects of public safety, preparedness is primarily aimed at citizens.

Radianti believes that tourists’ needs must be assessed more thoroughly.

In a new study, Professor Jaziar Radianti points out that we should regard tourists as a vulnerable group on a par with children, young people, and the elderly.

She proposes several measures to make preparedness more accessible to tourists, such as apps with maps of shelters and warning systems, as well as information campaigns in central locations like airports and hotels.

The information must be available in multiple languages.

“Norwegians, especially younger generations, know little about where shelters are located and what equipment they should bring. This applies even more so to tourists. In a crisis, time is crucial, and uncertainty can cost lives,” she says.

Differences in preparedness

In another study, set to be published in the spring of 2025, Radianti and her colleagues have examined how different groups understand and respond to emergency situations.

The results show major differences between countries.

Estonia, which borders Russia, has introduced extensive measures to label and map shelters. Countries like Germany, however, have no national strategy for informing the population about where they should seek shelter in the event of an air raid attack.

"We also see that many people rely heavily on mobile phones and the internet for information. The problem is that the technology will not always be available in a crisis. If the mobile network goes down while sheltering, most people are helpless," she says.

Dangerous cultural differences

Radianti emphasises that tourists are particularly vulnerable because they are unfamiliar with Norwegian conditions and the potential dangers that exist here.

"I've seen instances where tourists swim in ice-cold lakes in spring because they don't realise the water is still dangerously cold despite the weather feeling warm and sunny," she says.

What we consider safe in our home country cannot necessarily be applied to new surroundings. This applies, for example, to forests, which in Norway are viewed as playgrounds and hiking areas, but in other countries can be life-threatening.

Radianti urges Norwegian authorities to include tourists more fully in preparedness plans.

"We must think proactively and ensure that everyone in Norway, regardless of background, has access to vital information in a crisis," she says.

Reference:

Radianti et al. Tourists as a Vulnerable Group in Emergency Management: An Air Raid and Shelter Scenario, Proceedings of the 58th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, 2025.