| Although some business travelers are taking | | | | Dublin, Jerusalem, Cairo, Mumbai, Amman, Buenos |
| some precautions such as staying in lower-profile | | | | Aires, what have I forgotten?” |
| hotels and avoiding large gatherings, most have | | | | Williams asked the question after being frightened |
| not missed a beat in the wake of recent terrorist | | | | for the safety of a friend in Mumbai. |
| scares. | | | | "In fact, she persuaded me to drink coconut |
| Most business travelers cite statistics that indicate | | | | water (an excellent cure for "traveler's tummy") |
| that in spite of heavily-publicized terror events, | | | | in the Sea Lounge in the Taj Mahal hotel, across |
| the risk of coming to physical harm because of | | | | from the Gateway to India monument on the |
| terrorist activity in most cities is very low. Also, | | | | Mumbai waterfront last March. |
| since terror attacks or threats have occurred in | | | | Our friend works at the Times of India and was |
| many large cities around the world, there is no | | | | in the neighborhood of the recent attacks in |
| concentrated area to avoid. | | | | Mumbai. In fact, the Times of India building was |
| Paula Williams, the host of Ravenwerks, asked the | | | | fired upon. We had not heard from her for |
| question of her blog subscribers and received | | | | several days and did not know what to think, but |
| very upbeat but practical answers from veteran | | | | I'm relieved to report she's unhurt. She just didn't |
| business travelers. | | | | have access to email for a few days. She |
| Subhas Biswas, a trainer, consultant and auditor, | | | | watched the Taj and the Oberoi go up in flames. |
| indicates that he is planning extra time for | | | | My husband and I were discussing the events in |
| security; and keeping entry and exit points in | | | | Mumbai over the weekend, while sitting in a |
| perspective. | | | | restaurant in Salt Lake City. Ironically, while we |
| Some travelers expressed that the color-based | | | | were sitting there, we saw lights through the |
| security alert system is not specific enough to be | | | | window and heard sirens outside. There had been |
| helpful. Edward Branley points out that an | | | | a very bad car crash outside the restaurant. |
| “high alert” status has been in effect for | | | | This put these events in perspective for us. We |
| seven years now and has become the status | | | | are concerned for the safety and happiness of |
| quo. | | | | our friends and family, wherever they are, and |
| Finally, Adrienne Sasson, a travel expert, says | | | | we take what precautions we think are prudent |
| “If people begin to run scared of a perceived | | | | when we travel, but the fact remains that the |
| attack, then they win! My ego will not permit | | | | statistical likelihood of being harmed in a terrorist |
| it.” | | | | attack is so low it is almost negligible compared to |
| “Which city will you give up?” She | | | | everyday risks like driving a car or crossing the |
| adds: “New York, Paris, LA, Madrid, London, | | | | street in our own neighborhood. |