Page 363 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

Conclusions and Recommendations 339

emergency (e.g. emergency phones along the 22 To minimize the overall risk only vehicles
motorways (Autobahn) in Germany) with suitable for access to volcanic environments
arrows indicating in which direction the should be permitted to be used. They need to
closest phone is located. contain first aid kits and necessary
17 Helicopter rescue services should be available communication equipment in case of
in every country for every volcanic environment emergency. Strict policing is required.
that receives high volumes of tourism. The 23 In case of dangerous environments precise
cost factor should be of little relevance as most information is essential – logistics with no
countries can afford to maintain extensive room for error are needed. In these areas
defence forces (taxpayer funded) who would visitors also need to wear safe footwear and
be delegated to assist in rescue situations on a protective clothing (closed heavy-duty shoes)
standby basis. Defence forces could also assist or hard hats (helmets) and carry a gas mask.
with the logistics of communication and 24 Tourist organizations of countries with
transport in an emergency. This is already volcanic environments should DEMAND
common practice in several countries after a international safety guidelines to pass on to
disaster has happened. In the case of disaster their clients.
prevention it is important to enlist the help of
all organizations that are trained for various
disaster scenarios. Final comments
18 The access to active volcanic environments The above recommendations are the result of
should be graded according to potential risk observation, interviews, surveys and literature
factors and up-to-date advice from experienced reviews over a number of years. The results from
scientists (e.g. volcano observatories) who are the survey undertaken during the VMSG
monitoring not just volcanoes in action but conference 2009, which was discussed at the
also seismic activity in earthquake prone beginning of this chapter, reinforce the need for
areas. safety guidelines by supporting a number of the
19 Excursion and expedition participants should suggestions from the research that we have carried
undergo training for emergencies before out and which were subsequently included in this
embarking on their trip, in order to be able to book, and will also be made available on the
deal with unexpected situations. Relying on internet in due course.
the leader of any excursion group is not It must be noted here that future research into
enough. visitor safety in active volcanic and geothermal
20 Insurance companies should provide environments is an important issue because of the
information for travellers not just in risk prone growing number of people who travel further in
areas, but also where visits to active volcanic their quest to experience unique landforms and
environments are part of a general sightseeing unusual displays of volcanic and geothermal
itinerary, and encourage policy holders to seek activity. Adventure destinations worldwide are
detailed information about any potential risk using the trend ‘back to nature’ to attract visitors to
beforehand and whether they are covered in stay longer in more interesting and sustainable
the event of injury or death in a volcanic nature-based environments with volcanic and
accident or disaster. geothermal phenomena as an important integration.
21 Although the responsibility to supply up-to- Internet blogs from travellers, word-of-mouth, and
date information is distributed between increased marketing of destinations which promise
multiple stakeholders it is up to the individual time-out with a difference, contribute to the
traveller to act upon advice. To encourage this, growing numbers of volcano tourists. Moreover,
it must be clear that any cost incurred by this particular tourist sector contributes to the
careless and reckless action has to be covered economy in many countries and therefore all
by the person who caused it. This may temporary visitors need to be included in the risk
encourage responsible behaviour. management strategies to help them to avoid risky

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