Sousse coroner concerned tourists receive insufficient information about the risk of terrorist attacks

The coroner in the case of 30 British holidaymakers killed in the Sousse beach terrorist attack in 2015 has raised concerns that travel companies are not doing enough to inform travellers about the risks of terrorist attacks in destination countries. The coroner has issued a Regulation 28 report to (1) the Secretary of State for Transport; (2) the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; (3) the chief executive of ABTA; and (4) the chair of the Civil Aviation Authority to raise two points of action which should be taken in order to prevent future deaths. These are as follows:

1. Travel companies should have security advisers on their boards in order to ensure that the hotels they use are adequately protected. TUI have appointed such an advisor.
2. Travel companies, which sell holidays or flights and hotel accommodation separately, should display logos and links to the Government’s Travel Aware programme which provides detailed travel advice for every country on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website, to ensure that the public receive sufficient information about the risks of terrorist attacks in destination countries. TUI have taken steps to change their website and promotional literature to make these logos and links more prominent.   

The above parties have until 31 August 2017 to respond on details of the action taken, or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action.  

During the inquest TUI was criticised by the coroner for failing to give enough information about the potential threat of a terrorist attack. Given the comments of the coroner, travel companies need to ensure that they are adequately informing travellers about the risks of terrorist attacks in destination countries. If anyone has any concerns or needs guidance regarding travel advisories or security plans, please contact a member of our travel team.