Andy Lightbody - The Terrorism Survival Guide: 201 Travel Tips on How Not to Become a Victim, Revised and Updated

Copyright 2017 by Andy Lightbody

Foreword 2017 by Don Mann

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Rain Saukas

Cover photo credit iStock

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-1490-8

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-1491-5

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Foreword

Although the United States and many countries throughout the world have taken the threat of terrorism very seriously, since the late 1970s terrorism is at an all-time high, making travel abroad even more dangerous. The days of carefree travel have unfortunately come to an end.

Andy Lightbodys The Terrorism Survival Guide is an absolute must-read for anyone who travels abroad! This quick reference for the business traveler or for those who travel for pleasure is filled with vital need-to-know information on how to travel more safely in todays world.

Terrorism and crime against travelers abroad is on the rise. Travelers need to be careful when selecting travel destinations and more observant of their surroundings when traveling.

The State Department often puts out warnings such as this:

As terrorist attacks, political upheaval, and violence often take place without any warning, U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness when traveling.

In multiple regions, terrorists, guerrilla groups, and criminals seek to kidnap U.S. citizens to finance their operations or for political purposes. In the wake of well-publicized attacks against commercial aircraft in Egypt by ISIS and Somalia by al-Shabaab, the Department remains concerned that terrorists could again seek to down aircraft using concealed explosives or hijack commercial flights.

In addition to concerns stemming from terrorism, travelers should be alert to the possibility of political unrest, violence, demonstrations, and criminal activities when traveling.

Terrorists often attack soft targets, places that tourists often frequent, such as airports, train and bus terminals, hotels, resorts, clubs, restaurants, sporting events, political demonstrations, holiday celebrations, places of worship, schools, parks, shopping malls, and markets.

As a traveler, you must understand that terrorist groupsalong with their associates and those inspired by such organizationsare intent on attacking U.S. citizens wherever they are, sometimes with unexpected methods. They are increasingly using less sophisticated weapons, including knives, pistols, and motor vehicles, to keep the element of surprise.

We must all be cognizant of the fact that any one of us at any time could become a victim of an attack. Although we will never be 100 percent safe when traveling abroad, we can greatly reduce the risk by being prepared.

In The Terrorism Survival Guide , Andy Lightbody has conducted extensive research on the topics of terrorism, violent crimes, and traveling more safely abroad. He masterfully outlines simple security precautions that when properly conducted will make you, your family, your friends, and your business associates much safer when traveling abroad.

These days there are so many attacks that many find it overwhelming to keep current on this rising deadly threat. There is terror across Europe, there is terror across the world, and many analysts believe the worst is yet to come.

Back in November 2015, there was the Russian jet filled with innocent travelers and a bomb planted on it that killed all 224 on board. ISIS proudly claimed responsibility. Find your black boxes and analyze them, give U.S. the results of your investigation and the depth of your expertise and prove we didnt do it or how it was downed. Die with your rage. We are the ones with Gods blessing who brought it down. And God willing, one day we will reveal how, at the time we desire.

Also that same month, 130 people were killed in a series of terror attacks in Paris at everyday sitesthe sports stadium, the busy streets, a popular restaurant/bar, and a concert hall. The attackers, armed with assault rifles and explosives, specifically targeted locations often frequented by tourists.

And then there was the Mali attack where heavily armed terrorists indiscriminately shot at travelers at the hotel, killing twenty-one innocent people. One of the victims stated: These people started shooting. They were shooting at everybody without asking a single question. They were shooting at anything that moved. Dozens of innocent people were trapped in the building for hours not knowing if they would survive this brutal attack.

The trend to attack travelers, businesses, and government institutions is only increasing and the trend toward more horrific and violent attacks has increased as well.

Major sites like Rockefeller Center and Times Square in New York City have become potential targets. ISIS released a threatening video that featured footage of Times Square as a target.

In the last decade, there have been close to nine hundred attacks against airlines, charter flights, general aviation, and airports. Factor in attacks at hotels, targeted businesses, embassies, military bases, and countless innocent civilians, and the growing numbers are most distressing.

Despite our efforts in fighting terrorism, it is a horrific fact that the number of terrorist attacks worldwide has quadrupled since September 11, 2001 and twenty-three countries recorded their highest number of deaths from terrorism in 2015. Terrorists are now targeting private citizens in one of every three attacks, resulting in more than 40 percent of the fatalities. These are alarming statistics for the traveler.

As a result, approximately 10 percent of American travelers have canceled a trip in response to terror attacks, eliminating a potential $8.2 billion in travel spending in 2015 alone. The total economic impact of violence reached $13.6 trillion in 2015, or 13.3 percent of global GDP (gross domestic product).

Before traveling abroad, it is imperative that you understand the risks of your destination. Always remain alert to your surroundings. This does not mean you must be on edge or paranoid, just alert, vigilant, and observant.

Many have known for decades that when traveling abroad it is best to avoid the larger hotels preferred by the business travelers, to avoid large crowds wherever possible, to always have an evacuation plan, etcetera. However, there is a lot more to consider than these basic tips!

Andy Lightbody has done a brilliant job at focusing on the current threat and describing in an easy-to-read format just what any traveler can do to lessen the odds of being a victim to an attack.