Northcott analyses travel risks in 2022
The latest Global Travel Risks report from travel security provider Northcott Global Solutions has identified where politics and health risks converge to pose threats to travellers
Ed Soane, author of the report, said in December: “As politicians all over the world gather to prepare for the year ahead, Covid-19 will retain its place at the head of the global agenda. In 2022, the Covid-19 pandemic will continue to shape policy decisions, define the recovery of the world economy, and underpin freedom of travel. Government treasuries will have to contend with the consequences of the previous year, notably escalating fiscal deficits and unemployment rates, as well as face an uncertain future beset by hesitant investment and operational disruption. The soreness of the impact will be greater felt in those parts of the world where vaccination rates are lower, particularly Africa.”
Political impact felt around the world
In the foreground, major elections in Europe (France), the Americas (Brazil), and the Middle East (Lebanon) are set to define the political landscape of their respective regions for the years ahead. Given the climate of global uncertainty under which they will take place, associated civil unrest is likely to be more pronounced than ever before. Elsewhere, internal conflict threatens continued escalation. The upcoming year will be a momentous one for the future of democratic stability in Ethiopia, Nigeria and Lebanon, as well as the security outlook in Afghanistan, where the Taliban seek to consolidate control.
Finally, beyond the world’s immediate gaze, geopolitical developments between China and the West are likely to be marked by acrimonious rhetoric, the intensification of existing trade disputes and an escalation in military antagonism. Altercations in the cyber domain are also expected to increase, with cyberattacks deriving from China and Russia set to be a growing concern for the West.