High-risk destinations in 2019

FCM-LP-2019-researching hot-spots

Mitigating travel risk

Occasionally even the best laid travel plans can come unstuck by unforeseen circumstances, and ongoing global instability means that minimising your employee travel risk is a priority.

With traveller safety being an increasingly important issue, FCM works closely with clients to ensure they have robust travel risk management plans in place, along with travel programs that meet their duty of care obligations.

FCM Secure

FCM Secure, which is part of the FCM Connect suite of solutions, provides a unique combination of service, support, technology and intelligence to deliver a travel risk management program for businesses.

Renos Rologas, Account Management Leader for FCM said as a leading travel provider for many large Australian and global companies, FCM was noticing more and more interest in this area from our network of customers.

“Managing risk is a big focus of travel programs now. This includes managing traveller safety and also taking proactive steps to get them prepared for travel,” Renos said.

“Quite a few clients now require travellers to complete a checklist before approval for travel occurs, while our travel risk management product Secure – supplies global intelligence that can provide additional reassurance to deliver a better business travel experience.”

Renos said Secure allowed Travel Managers to receive real time alerts, track, locate and connect with travellers 24/7 via email or SMS.

“Secure can be customised to each customer’s requirements and works seamlessly with FCM’s technology platforms to provide integrated global crisis management and response,” he said.

Global year in review risk map

The release of Secure’s Global Year in Review Risk Map provides insights into the reasons behind the travel risk hot spots of 2018 and the outlook for this year. In 2019 global events will impact on a number countries to increase the potential for instability, while many of 2018’s trouble spots will be monitored closely by FCM and Secure as they continue to present challenges for travellers.

Secure has identified the main trends which are set to increasingly impact on global stability during 2019 and beyond -:

  • global data exposure and restrictions
  • weather including wildfires, floods and extreme storms
  • the refugee and global humanitarian crisis
  • the global economic slowdown
  • continued rise of global pay inequality

In addition, the top five countries where the risk to travellers is increasing are Venezuela (protests and riots), Nicaragua (civil war and riots), Libya (terrorism), Mali (terrorism) and Yemen (war and terrorism). Fortunately these countries are not frequented often by FCM business travellers, however a number of the other countries where Secure advises travellers to proceed with caution are more common destinations.

Download FCM Secure's Global Year in Review Risk Map.

Places to proceed with caution in 2019

Many countries identified in 2018 will remain unstable throughout 2019 for a number of different reasons. Travellers to these areas should remain vigilant and be conscientious about monitoring alerts related to their itineraries.

  • Travellers are strongly advised to avoid Venezuela as serious political turmoil continues. This oil-rich South American country is also experiencing high levels of terrorism and kidnappings.
  • Struggling with economic and social reform means Mexico will have an uncertain 2019, with any reforms having wide-reaching effects on the region.
  • The Yellow Vests in Paris continued their violent protests into 2019 and both social unrest and outside extremist threats will remain a concern in France.
  • While India’s economic power continues to grow rapidly, factors influencing India’s direction in 2019 include a general election, global economic forces and a potential rise in social inequality.
  • South Africa attracts both business and general travellers but the country’s future remains uncertain as it continues to struggle with high levels of unemployment, creeping growth, political distrust, land reforms and renewed elections in 2019.
  • Plagued by unpredictable volcanoes and devastating earthquakes, increasing levels of activity are expected to be experienced by Indonesia this year. At the same time there is a heightened focus on airline and passenger safety in the region, which is heavily visited by business travellers.

Head to FCM Secure to read more about this leading travel risk management product. 

"The key is to make sure your organisation and your travellers have the right level of support to lean on when they need it most."

Renos Rologas, Director of Account Management FCM Travel Solutions Australia.