According to the US National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation
Program (2001), future building development in tsunami-prone
areas must be avoided to minimize future losses and to protect
existing buildings through redevelopment and planning of beaches,
and an evacuation plan must be available (US National Tsunami
Hazard Mitigation Program (2001) cited in Bird & Lubkowski,
2005). Indeed, as an increasing number of new hotels rise along
major beach fronts, these principles must be used as safety guidelines
for tourist development in tsunami-prone areas. More especially,
due to the increased threat of natural disasters, beaches have
become vulnerable tsunami-prone areas, and hence, more research
on crisis management to guard against the impact of a tsunami is
necessary. Unfortunately, tourist suppliers do not welcome this
kind of study. Nonetheless, it behooves them to consider that to
recognize the importance of crisis management only after another
tragedy like the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami may be too late.
Similar to U.S. Geological Survey (2003) cited in Green (2006),
this study suggests that local residents and hotels should be
educated about different characteristics of tsunamis and be aware
that they must evacuate to higher ground immediately after initial
tremors. Thus, for example, tour guides and employees in the
hospitality industry in tsunami-prone areas should acquire a basic
education regarding preparedness for a tsunami evacuation to
evacuate guests to safe areas.Likewise, a tsunami warning and evacuation system must cover
a large territory and open seas, which is a costly investment. Thus, it
is the collective social responsibility of Asian Pacific nations, which
must perceive such a systemas part of crisismanagement, and which
requires international cooperation among tourism stakeholders.