Page 50 - INTERNATIONAL SOS PR REPORT JANUARY 2024

1/10/24, 4:50 PM Latest News
industry forecasts indicate that the volume will reach 105% of 2019 levels, facilitating travel of around 429
million passengers.

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.”

About the International SOS Group of Companies
The International SOS Group of Companies is in the business of saving lives, protecting your global

workforce from health and security threats. Wherever you are, we deliver customised health, security risk
management and wellbeing solutions to fuel your growth and productivity.

In the event of extreme weather, an epidemic or a security incident, we provide an immediate response

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