Page 37 - INTERNATIONAL SOS PR REPORT JANUARY 2024

1/10/24, 4:49 PM Global travel soars amid evolving risk landscape
Michael Rogers, Chief Security Analyst at International SOS said: “The resurgence in global travel
comes at a time in which the travel security landscape is increasingly being complicated by geopolitical
events, natural disasters and other developments. More and more organisations are finding
comprehensive risk mitigation strategies for their mobile workforce to be of upmost importance.

Today, more than ever, travellers need to remain informed of prevailing risks and attendant mitigation
measures. Beyond geopolitical issues and natural disasters, emerging diseases, social unrest and
evolving crime dynamics require that travellers practice vigilance. Across a series of concurrent and
overlapping crises, International SOS observed a 16% increase in the volume of security and medical

alerts issued to clients throughout January to November this year compared to same period in 2022. The
considerable increase illustrates both the evolving global security environment as well as value of timely
and verified information and analysis as a key resource to ensure workforce safety.”

The impact of climate change, including extreme weather events, natural disasters and environmental
changes also poses an additional layer of risk to global travel and are proving to be increasingly

disruptive. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stated that within the next two decades,
temperatures are likely to rise by 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and we are likely to see a multitude of
unavoidable climate hazards globally.3

Natural disaster-related reporting accounted for 20% of International SOS’ medical and security alert

volume in the months of July and August of 2023. This is a 5% increase compared to the same period of
2022. These months fall within the peak of hurricane and tropical cyclone season, highlighting the
increased risk of natural disasters.

Michael Rogers added “With climate change exacerbating existing travel risks, it is important for
organisations to have robust and integrated health and security travel policies that safeguard employees

from potential impacts of climate change during travels. Additionally, encompassing the ISO 31030
standard in organisations’ policies provides a framework to ensure preparedness for a changing travel
security landscape and to be better placed to mitigate increasingly complex travel risks.”

TRAVEL AND
TOURISM

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