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reward in doing a good job. So, the question is, what is the best environment for people to work?” She says: “One of the


pressures on leaders is to come up with answers. But they should come up with better questions so people closer to problems come up with solutions. “Leaders often say they want


people to take ownership of an issue. They say they want empowerment, but businesses still have a command-and- control style of leadership. They don’t want to empower people. There is no vacuum for people to step into.” Palmer insists: “Leaders


need to distribute decision- making and support people to make better decisions.” She says: “I’m not saying


self-management is the answer. Employees talk a lot about wanting autonomy. But what you really want is for employees to see themselves as citizens of an organisation. That is different from being autonomous.” Palmer tells business leaders:


“If you want your business to exist in five years, you have to do something different. Do you trust your people? What if you loosened the reins? “The system of work now


keeps a lot of talent trapped. That is why people complain when they get home. The standard models of leadership don’t work. A good chief executive should be wondering what their job is because everyone is doing it.” But she adds: “You don’t


have to rip everything up and start again. I call it a workplace reformation, not a revolution.”


Industry faces increasing impacts of global crises


Ian Taylor


The European Travel Commission (ETC) published a major study on the impact of crises on the sector and lessons for crisis management last week. The report, Crises in Tourism:


Impacts and Lessons from European Destinations, highlights the increasing frequency and severity of crises affecting the industry. ETC president Miguel Sanz warned: “Tourism is among the industries most susceptible to the ripple effects of global crises. Resilience is no longer a luxury but a necessity.” The report suggests travel is


“especially susceptible to extreme weather and other natural disasters, war and terrorist attacks, civil unrest, cyberattacks and IT system failures” and warns: “Weather patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable, with some regions facing heatwaves and droughts, while others experience widespread flooding.”


Travel and tourism GDP contribution nears 2019 level


Global travel and tourism contributed 9% of world GDP last year and is projected to reach 10% this year, close to the 2019 level of 10.4%, according to World Travel & Tourism Council data. The WTTC’s Travel &


Tourism Economic Impact Report, published last week,


46 12 SEPTEMBER 2024 Wildfire in Greece in 2023 It notes the frequency of crises


has increased and argues: “The fact that tourism recovered relatively swiftly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic may suggest demand is resilient. Yet it does not demonstrate Europe’s destinations, communities and local businesses [have] become more resilient to crises.” The ETC adds: “It would be a


mistake to assume certain countries or destinations are immune,” noting: “Few would have expected Dubai


to see a year’s worth of rainfall in 12 hours in April, forcing the city’s airport to close.” In 2023, it notes, Europe witnessed


“the largest wildfire ever recorded, one of the wettest years, severe marine heatwaves and widespread flooding. “Climate risks are threatening


energy and food security, ecosystems, infrastructure, water resources, financial stability and people’s health . . . the effects of crisis events are likely to expand in size and frequency.” The report includes a crisis


management checklist for national tourism organisations (NTOs), suggesting they have a role to play in coordinating government and industry responses, overseeing visitor safety, ensuring accurate messaging and analysing data. Yet it notes: “While NTOs


agree there is a critical role for their organisations in responding to crises, too often the process of planning this response and the recovery actions that follow is left for another day.”


placed UK travel and tourism fifth in the world rankings for 2023, with a total GDP contribution of $295 billion, behind the US ($2.36 trillion), China ($1.3 trillion), Germany ($488 billion) and Japan ($297 billion) but ahead of France and Spain – although below the UK’s $327 billion GDP contribution in 2019. The UK is forecast to return to


fourth place this year with a GDP contribution of $347 billion. The sector’s total contribution to world GDP reached


$9.9 trillion last year, 4% below the level of 2019. Spending by international


travellers totalled $1.63 trillion, 14% below the 2019 figure, but the WTTC forecast travel’s contribution this year would surpass 2019, with international spending of $1.9 trillion. However, it warned of


challenges “that could hinder growth”, noting: “Inflation in services remains stubborn, higher operational costs have raised travel costs and the cost of servicing the debt has risen”.


travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURE: Shutterstock/Alexandros Michailidis


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