Terrorism thrives on fear. Sensible precautions should shape your travels, but fear should never decide how much of the world you get to see.
Editor’s Note: This editorial draws on more than 25 years of independent travel, first-hand experience and publicly documented evidence and regulatory changes. This was originally published in November 2015 following the Paris attacks, and has been been updated to reflect current developments while remaining true to their original arguments.
Terror attacks by definition are meant to instil fear and change your way of life. That is why I will never allow terrorism to stop me from travelling the world and why I will never allow the terrorists to win.
Paris, Egypt, Turkey, London and Manchester have all experienced the horror of terrorist attacks targeting innocent civilians. As a result, the justifiable horror and outrage are often followed by mass panic and hysteria.
After attacks like these, airports often introduce yet more draconian security measures, the travel warnings go into meltdown and travellers and holidaymakers cancel their travel plans and allow the mass media and sweeping interpretations of government safety advice to lead them onto a path of paranoia.
The Terrorists Are Getting Exactly What They Want
My thoughts, along with the thoughts of every sane and decent human being, go out to the victims of these tragedies. Of course they do. No one will deny that the attack in Paris, or the atrocities in Egypt, Turkey and so many other places in the past were horrific. They were, and should be denounced as such. But these atrocities do not make every street in a city, every flight or every visit to a country dangerous.
That isn’t in any way, shape or form lessening the tragedy of these incidents. Each and every life lost in attacks like these is one too many. But it is about putting these attacks into perspective. It is saying that the fear is far from the reality. Feeling frightened after something like this is understandable. Letting that fear convince us that everywhere is dangerous is another matter.
An attack having happened does not mean every visitor now faces an imminent threat. Equally, it does not guarantee that the danger has passed. Look at the specific situation and any credible warnings, rather than assuming that an entire destination is now too dangerous to visit.
Many more locations around the world, such as Lebanon and Iraq, have been targeted by the same indiscriminate and horrific violence, but have not received the same level of media attention. We do not generally write off London or New York as travel destinations because they have experienced terrorism. Other places deserve the same considered judgement.
Terrorism can affect our own countries as well as the places we visit. That does not make the risk identical everywhere, but it should remind us not to confuse somewhere familiar with somewhere immune.
There is far more to it than simply reminding oneself of the absurdity of paranoia, however.
Giving In To Terrorists Is Never An Option
Terrorists use terror to get what they want. They want people to be afraid. They want to create fear and paranoia.
I, for one, will not give them what they want.
I am British. We have a strong, proud tradition of never backing down from bullies and cowards, and that will not end now because some spineless weakling thinks civilians are a justifiable target. I will not accept that this has anything to do with whatever their twisted, warped and pathetic minds think religion is all about. They do not speak for an entire religion, race or culture, however desperately they want us to believe otherwise.
In a few days I am booked on a flight back to Europe, and I will be adding Paris to that as soon as possible. I will be doing that for two reasons. First, because it is absolutely safe to do so. Second, because I can and will stick two proud, British fingers up to any despotic coward who doesn’t have the stones to do anything other than target innocent civilians.
I urge all of you to do the same. You don’t have to come to Paris, but don’t cancel a trip simply because the headlines have frightened you. Look at what is actually happening where you intend to go, then make your decision.
Changing your plans because of a specific threat is not letting the terrorists win. Neither is taking time to recover if you have been affected. Refusing to be intimidated does not mean ignoring danger or having to prove how brave you are.
Wherever you go, just keep travelling.
Letting these recent tragic events change our society, change who we are and how we live our lives will be handing victory to the terrorists. Keep travelling. Show them that they cannot win.
Michael Huxley
Michael Huxley is the founder of Bemused Backpacker, a travel writer, published author, international speaker and former nurse who has spent more than twenty-five years travelling independently through over 150 countries. He helps readers travel with more confidence, safety and perspective.
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29 responses to “If You Stop Travelling, The Terrorists Win”
Brilliant post, Mike.
I was in New York on 9/11. I was in London when it was attacked. Nowhere felt as safe as New York or London after the attacks – security checks were tightened, police was everywhere and in fact, the petty criminals that were all over the cities on a regular basis were also gone.
I will never give in to terrorism. I will never give up living.
Thank you Claudia, I completely agree.
I totally agree with you. We will not cancel our plans to fly to Paris next weekend. Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass… It’s about learning to dance in the rain.
Well said!
Thanks, Michael! Once again, words of reason, wisdom and inspiration. Travel on!
Thanks for reading. 🙂
I agree with not giving in to the fear generated by terrorist attacks. We do have to find a different way …
Totally agree. Thanks for the comment. 🙂
Yes, yes, yes! What an amazing message. This is exactly why I love your blog!
Thank you:)
i came back from 7 months in asia a few days before the recent bombing at a hindu temple in bangkok, im going back for malaysia, indonesia & philippines next year, all countries with supposedly high threat, but the FCO in a lot of cases is just politically motivated rubbish, scaremongering and blowing things out of proportion
The FCO definitely blows a lot of things out of proportion! I’ve just arrived back from Indonesia and Malaysia too, enjoy your trip, you’ll have a great time!
I totally agree!
Changing plans, living in fear etc is exactly what they want. And I won’t give it to them!
Also, if I’m going to die, I would prefer it to be while living my life rather than hiding in fear at home.
Thanks Adam, well said!
Loved this post and I couldn’t agree more. As a New Yorker who lived with the lingering scent of jet fuel after 9/11, I don’t back away from bullies either. The acts of terror that have been committed around the world are meant to cause panic. Turn off the endless negative media loop and refuse to be terrorized. It is the only way to win against such brutality.
Thanks Jackie, I completely agree about the endless negative media loop. As bad as these acts of terrorism are, all they do is throw fuel on the fire!
I won’t stop travelling, why would I? Bad things happen all around and misfortune might strike at home as well, and actually that what often happens. And, as you say, you need to put things in perspective. The fact is that you’re more likely to suffer in a car accident or by attacker by a local thug.
Yes, we should be careful wherever we go, I take exactly the same precautions at home as I take during my travels.
I wouldn’t travel to a war-zone, but everything else… It’s just the fate.
Exactly. Well said!
I absolutely agree with you and truly believe that we as travellers can make the difference and bring this world closure.
I truly agree with and believe that we as travel can bring the world closure. I will never quit travel and they cant make us do this.
Well said Himanshu.
People of world stand together against travel more! we believe travel will connect people and help to transcend the barriers of religion, culture and language!
Could not agree more. 🙂
Well said! 🙂
Thanks 🙂
Hear hear! I wish more people would look at it this way instead of flying into an irrational panic every time something terrible happens.
Totally agree Helen, thanks for the comment.
That’s the British spirit right there!
Damn right! ;D