The September 11 attacks on US targets have reverberated around the globe at a frightening rate and dealt an unprecedented blow to global business.
Business meetings, corporate incentive programmes and exhibition and convention participation have come to a virtual standstill in the wake of September 11. In the US alone, the ripple effect of this 'inertia' has resulted in unimaginable losses of jobs and businesses. The effect of airline lay-offs means the loss of more than 500,000 jobs in other sectors of the travel and hospitality industries. It is estimated that today half of all US hotel workers have been laid off, or put on shortened work weeks.
It is clear that we must take action immediately to stop the devastating economic fallout of these terrorist acts.
As a member of the Society of Incentive and Travel Executives and chief executive officer of a pan-regional organisation bringing corporate events to the Asia-Pacific region from all over the world, I am joined by my colleagues around the globe in sending this 'call to action'.
I am urging business executives, employees, and colleagues to fight back against economic terrorism. Get back on planes; hold your incentive programmes and business meetings as planned. Now, more than ever, we need to spur sales and productivity efforts and bolster employee morale.
Government leaders have urged us to return to 'business as usual' and the incentive and travel industries stand ready to serve corporations when they need it most. I encourage business leaders around the world to demonstrate the same sense of resolve.