Reflections from our recent Risk, Safety and Crisis Management Seminar.
New data from the Safer Tourism Foundation, based on 10.6 million leisure trips taken by UK travellers, highlights critical safety issues and evolving risk patterns that travel providers can no longer afford to overlook.
Despite widespread efforts to rebuild safer tourism after the pandemic, incident rates remained static in both 2022 and 2023 at 0.38% (1 in 263 travellers). Among the 75 recorded fatalities, leading causes included cardiac events in the sea, pre-existing conditions, allergic reactions, and drowning.
Key incident data:
- 37% linked to gastrointestinal illness
- ≥16% from slips, trips, and falls
- Over 200 food allergy reactions
- More than 300 cycling accidents
- Several hundred cases of sexual harassment, assault, and anti-social behaviour
These are not rare occurrences, they reflect consistent risks across mainstream destinations and age groups.
Eight Themes Requiring Industry Attention
- Hotter holidays are increasing dehydration and gastric illness; traveller behaviour is not keeping pace with rising temperatures.
- Food allergy incidents, though relatively rare, remain serious and are often caused by poor communication between suppliers and operators.
- Ocean safety is under-recognised; open-water exertion is triggering injuries and cardiac events, particularly in the Caribbean and Atlantic.
- Cycling accidents are linked to poor road conditions and high-speed descents.
- Falls, especially among older travellers, occur during routine movements—often at night or on stairs.
- Mental health and cognition issues are more frequently reported, especially among solo travellers.
- Sexual harassment and assault, including by staff, are increasing or more often reported.
- Anti-social behaviour, often involving alcohol, is a persistent issue for larger operators.
A Shift in Traveller Risk Appetite
Recent research shows:
- Over two-thirds of travellers try activities abroad they would not attempt at home.
- 1 in 10 parents (25–44) allow children to engage in higher-risk activities while away.
- 14% of travellers, including 10% of over-65s, attempt more difficult hikes or rides on holiday than at home.
This “holiday bravado” means many travellers underestimate their risk exposure and rely heavily on operators to manage the consequences.
Industry Response: Where Action Is Needed
The Safer Tourism Foundation recommends new approaches to incident management:
- Standardised definitions and levels
- Equal treatment of near-misses
- Multiple-cause attribution
- Dynamic recording systems
- No reporting disincentives
At Sanderson Phillips, we are supporting partners across the industry by:
- Enhancing our audit criteria to reflect these risks
- Delivering training on mental health, harassment prevention, and climate adaptation
- Advising on safer product and supplier design
As traveller behaviour shifts and climate risks grow, safety can no longer be seen as a static checklist. Proactive, system-wide responses are essential. At Sanderson Phillips, we’re helping our clients lead the way – by designing risk out of the journey, not just reacting when things go wrong.