Reflections from our recent Risk, Safety and Crisis Management Seminar.
At our recent seminar, Sanderson Phillips David Atkin provided a powerful reminder that in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) global environment, businesses in the tourism and travel sector must move beyond reactive thinking.
What Is Risk Mitigation?
Risk mitigation involves reducing the likelihood or impact of potential disruptions. But this isn’t just about planning for worst-case scenarios; it’s about creating a resilient framework that adapts, learns, and grows with changing conditions.
Emerging Global Risks
Climate: As the climate crisis intensifies, businesses must consider the long-term effects of environmental stress on infrastructure, operations, and traveller safety.
Geopolitics: Political instability, economic regulation, and security threats can affect entire supply chains and consumer confidence.
Health: From pandemics to mental health, the next crisis may not look like the last – but it’s coming. The UK’s COVID-19 Inquiry (2024) highlighted one critical truth: “It’s not if, but when.”
To build industry resilience, businesses must:
- Engage in long-term product planning.
- Monitor both existing and emerging issues.
- Train staff and educate travellers.
- Leverage data from FCDO and other intelligence sources.
The UK COVID-19 Inquiry revealed the cost of outdated planning, fragmented structures, and ignored warning signs. David’s session walked us through the inquiry’s recommendations, from streamlining emergency systems to establishing an independent statutory body for preparedness.
Risk isn’t just managed in moments of crisis – it’s built into every decision. That’s why Sanderson Phillips works with clients to embed risk management across four key pillars:
- What You Know: Your business, your purpose, your risk tolerance.
- How You Plan & Prepare: Strategy, training, and influence.
- How You Respond: Incident procedures, team training, and contingencies.
- How You Improve: Review, learn, and re-learn with purpose.
Cybersecurity threats, AI vulnerabilities, and GDPR compliance are reshaping how we view operational risks. As David noted, “AI brings speed, scale, and power – but also increases exposure.”
Key Takeaways
- Link your risk strategy to your purpose.
- Critically challenge assumptions.
- Invest in culture – resilience is a team sport.
Risk is inevitable, but crisis is not. At Sanderson Phillips, we believe in helping our clients not just survive disruption – but thrive beyond it.