Introduction

Travellers today face many challenges from risk and safety issues. Focusing in particular on risk and safety issues faced by visitors to holy sites, this book looks at the unique challenges raised, where annual religious festivals are commemorated with mass gatherings lasting for days and large crowds require detailed disaster management plans.

Beginning with a general section on risk management, covering areas such as disaster management, terrorism, crime and security, the book then delves deeper into specific issues and challenges. It reviews important topics such as understanding the behaviour of crowds, how to perform a risk assessment for a sacred space, and travelling in what some would regard as an increasingly hostile world.

Content and Approach

Examining critically all risk and safety challenges in this area of management, the book:

• Includes a full section of global case studies, as well as discussion questions for each chapter, encouraging readers to translate theory into good practice.
• Offers critical thinking on risk, vulnerability and long-term development for mass gatherings.
• Covers the importance of disaster management practices and offers practical advice for ensuring attendees' safety.

Further Research and Applications

Mitigating risk at mass gathering events and festivals is an area that still needs further research, but this book brings together current thought and provides a valuable reference for those studying religion, tourism and events, as well as event organizers, emergency and hospital services, and local authorities.