Packing for Fear: The Political Uses of Tourism Policy in Post-Terror Contexts

• In Event: Poster Session: Political Communication

Abstract

This article investigates the meaning and utility of tourism policy in post-
terror contexts. Although much of the terrorism literature focuses on defense
measures, states also need a way to combat perceptions of instability and
undermined authority in the wake of attacks. I bridge political science and
hospitality research to demonstrate why many states turn to tourism. Using
the UMD Global Terrorism Database (GTD), I analyzed 767 terrorist attacks
with 10+ casualties in 47 countries between 2007 and 2017, specifically those
that occurred outside the context of active war zones or insurgencies. These
events were then compared with an original dataset of the timing and
implementation of policy change using logistic regression. I then provide an
in-depth analysis of three cases: a typical use of tourism policy (France after
the November 2015 attacks in Paris and the July 2016 attacks in Nice); when
tourism policy theoretically should have mattered, but did not (the United
States after the 2015 San Bernardino shootings and the 2016 Orlando Pulse
nightclub attack); and finally, when tourism policy should not have been a
state priority, but was (the Al Assad regime through the duration of the Syrian
Civil War). The results demonstrate that tourism policy helps states re-
establish an image of security in post-terror contexts. Overall, this article
contributes to a more nuanced understanding of state crisis responses and
the significance of technology, media, and cultural institutions in international relations.

Author

• Kimberly D. Tower, American University