One tourist has been confirmed dead and six others were injured after a collision on a glass slide in Tiger Canyon tourist area in Benxi, Liaoning Province in northeast China, on August 19. The accident is believed to have been caused by stormy weather.

Safety and security are vital to providing quality service in tourism. More than any other economic activity, a successful tourism destination depends on being able to provide a safe and secure environment for visitors, especially during festivals or holidays. Emergency measures according to changes in the weather or other unforeseen circumstances are compulsory legal requirements that must be strictly met by scenic attractions.

Tourist spots should be closed when the weather or ground conditions are bad, including times of typhoon, heavy rains, thunderstorms, or mountain torrents. Moreover, first-aid kits should be on hand at more locations in case tourists need emergency assistance or treatment. If an emergency occurs, they must respond quickly to avoid damage or injuries.

Apart from bad weather, weak regulation of tourist spots and poor supervision by local governments have exposed the poor management in some tourist spots. One major problem is that few administrators, tourism service providers and tourists are equipped to handle increased risks and dangers.

This accident should teach scenic spot administrators and operators as well as tourists to pay greater attention to safety issues.

This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in Beijing Youth Daily on August 21  

(Print Edition Title: Safety of Tourist Spots)