Preparedness key to mitigating medical and travel security risks abroad. 80% of travellers had concerns about safety abroad; but less than half research security issues pre-travel; 71% of senior executive travellers had medical problems abroad; but only 15% assess healthcare pre-travel.
MedAire launch Travel Risk Map 2016 to help organisations better understand the risks in the markets where they operate and travel.
MedAire and International SOS have published a Health Risk Map since 2010. The map was renamed to Travel Risk Map for 2016 to take into account the newly added travel security risk ratings. It is the industry’s first integrated medical and travel security risk map.
The Travel Risk Map displays each country’s medical risk rating and travel security risk rating. The result is a comprehensive overview of risks by destination to aid organisations and staff in their travel risk mitigation efforts.
An analysis of international business travel against the Travel Risk Map ratings found that nearly 1 in 3 trips abroad are to countries with a higher medical or security risk rating than the travellers’ home country.
Andrew Nicholson, Global Security Director, at MedAire, said: “Education and information – as well as training – are vital to helping passengers and crewmembers assess and mitigate travel and safety risks. Our comprehensive overview reveals that in 75% of countries the medical risk is assessed to be at a different level from the travel security risk. This range within individual countries highlights the complexities travellers face when preparing to travel abroad. MedAire supports reviewing both medical and security issues when preparing for travel abroad.”
A recent Ipsos Global Advisor study asked participants about their concerns and preparations when travelling abroad. The report found that while 8 in 10 travellers have felt their personal safety could be threatened while abroad, less than 4 in 10 travellers research crime at destination, neighbourhoods to avoid, safety standards of public transport, or security features of their accommodation before they travel. The study also reported that while 71% of senior executive travellers have experienced a medical problem abroad; only 15% assess adequacy of local healthcare before travelling.
Dr. Paulo Alves, Global Medical Director, Aviation Health, MedAire, said: “We created the Travel Risk Map to help travellers align their pre-trip preparations proportionately with the risks they may encounter in a particular location. Even in countries with a low medical risk rating and state of the art medical services, travellers may still need assistance with language or navigating an unfamiliar health care system – both of which can be significant barriers to obtaining care.”
Andrew Nicholson concluded: “The reality is there are risks everywhere in the world. Understanding what those risks are, and then taking appropriate precautions is the best way for travellers to make informed decisions about overseas travel and prepare for possible risks at destination.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
