THE ASIAN PERSPECTIVE

While the Western world agonises over the recent spate of horrific terrorist attacks on European soil, and its citizens grapple with what appears to be an ever-present and increasing threat from Islamic State and other extremist groups, in Asia-Pacific the mood among the business community appears more nonchalant.

The general perception seems to be that the extremists’ focus is clearly on “the West”, and thus the risks in Asia are small – even unworthy of more than fleeting attention. This is an ill-considered attitude, however, conveniently forgetting that terrorist attacks have occurred in Asia on a regular basis: consider the 2014 multiple stabbings at Kunming station in China, the bombing of Bangkok’s Erawan shrine last year, and the bomb and gun attacks in Jakarta in January this year.

“The same safety concerns exist for Asian business people; what is different is the media coverage that intensifies anxiety,” says Greg O’Neil, president Asia-Pacific of BCD Travel. “We encourage our clients to reduce risk by developing and implementing a travel risk management plan that includes traveller contact information and confirmation of whereabouts before they send travellers on the road.”

Perhaps such heinous acts fade from the collective Asian memory more easily because concrete results from ensuing investigations are rarely forthcoming, so there is no specific perpetrator on which to fix blame – or maybe it is because almost every part of the continent has experienced some form of major conflict within living memory, so these attacks are not so traumatic to the general population. Whatever the reason, with regional newspapers reporting the rising likelihood of new terrorist action in countries including Indonesia and Malaysia in the near future, we should all be aware of the risks – and take considered, appropriate measures. “We are seeing clients look more closely at risk factors, but overall it’s still business as usual,” says O’Neil.