Business travel to India may sustain a temporary drop in response to the terrorist attacks on two prominent hotels, and other public places frequented by Westerners and wealthy Indians in the city of Mumbai, as international companies assess risk to travelers and examine corporate security options in the region. This assessment was offered by Susan Gurley, Executive Director of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE). “However the situation remains fluid and companies will be looking at the overall response by Indian security forces and the potential of a sectarian backlash before making any long-term travel decisions,” said Gurley.

Initial reports indicate that companies with diverse business interests in numerous cities throughout India were immediately reviewing their security plans, which include safe houses and evacuation procedures in the event of terrorist acts or civil unrest. Yet long-term travel disruptions to India seemed unlikely at this time.

Gurley stated that nearly all ACTE member companies have comprehensive security programs in place. These programs track the whereabouts of travelers and offer a number of protective options depending on the nature of the threat. While traveler security has always been an integral part of ACTE’s agenda, companies began adopting comprehensive business preparedness programs in response to incidences like 9/11 and the first avian flu pandemic threat in 2005.

“Nevertheless, the situation in the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel will have many companies reevaluating the security clauses in their hotel programs,” said Gurley. “Hostages reported they were unable to get any news from failed cable systems and that the phones were out. Yet at least one guest reported they were in contact with their corporate travel department and a news agency via a cell phone. This will put a new emphasis on the need to travel with a reliable flashlight, a small self-powered radio, and a cell phone with international capabilities.”

ACTE initiated an industrywide poll on traveler security today. “Security issues are not confined to India,” said Gurley. “There are dozens of places in which an attack of this nature could have occurred and there are still equally devastating threats from disease or natural disasters, like earthquakes.”

ACTE is planning to continue with the scheduled education sessions in India for 2009.

ABOUT ACTE: The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) represents the global business travel industry through its international advocacy efforts, executive level educational programs, and independent industry research. ACTE's membership consists of senior travel industry executives from 82 countries representing the €463 billion business travel industry. With the support of sponsors from every major segment of the business travel industry, ACTE develops and delivers educational programs in key business centers throughout the world. ACTE has representation in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and the United States. For more information on ACTE, please go to .

Jack Riepe
ACTE Global Communications Director
610-719-8396
ACTE