Travel Advisor Resources After Sri Lanka Attacks: Reducing Client Risk

While leisure travel advisors may not have the same level of obligation that corporate advisors do in keeping travelers safe, the recent terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka raise questions about what they can or should do to minimize risk for their clients. It’s an important issue, given that tourist destinations can be susceptible to terrorist activity.

In this newsletter, Skift looks at some of the government and commercial resources that advisors and their clients can turn to for safety assistance. Among these is the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, in which travelers can register their itineraries and contact details with a U.S. embassy or consulate in the destination.

The service provides updates on travel risks in the destination and helps the embassy contact the traveler in the event of a natural disaster, civil unrest, or other emergency. In addition, a number of private companies provide safety-related services that travel agencies can offer their clients.

For more coverage of pertinent issues, click here.

Any suggestions for the coverage you would like to see are welcome. Feel free to contact me at mbl@skift.com.

— Maria Lenhart, Travel Advisor Editor

Featured Stories

Tight security in Sri Lanka. Associated Press

Travel Advisor Risk and Responsibility in Sri Lanka: Leisure travel advisors may not have the same obligations as their corporate travel counterparts when it comes to keeping travelers safe, but last week’s terror attacks raise questions about risk and responsibility.

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Marriott and Southwest Airlines Top Annual Loyalty Awards: Despite a rocky integration with Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott performed well in this year’s loyalty rankings. Southwest Airlines, meanwhile, continued its reliable drumbeat of loyalty-program popularity.

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Airlines

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Rising Costs Catch Up to Spirit Airlines: In many ways, the airline had a solid quarter, but some potential long-term issues are starting to emerge, casting doubt on future performance.

Skift Travel Advisor Editor Maria Lenhart [mbl@skift.com] curates the Skift Travel Advisor Innovation Report. Skift emails the newsletter every Tuesday. Have a story idea? Or a juicy news tip? Want to share a memo? Send her an email.