Skip to main content
ITIJ

Main navigation

  • Latest
  • Magazine
  • Service Directory
  • Awards
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Secondary

  • Travel Insurance
  • Company News
  • Assistance & Repatriation
  • Air Ambulance
  • Travel
  • Health
  • Hospitals & Healthcare
  • Insurtech
  • General Insurance
  • Latest
  • Magazine
  • Service Directory
  • Awards
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Travel Insurance
  • Company News
  • Assistance & Repatriation
  • Air Ambulance
  • Travel
  • Health
  • Hospitals & Healthcare
  • Insurtech
  • General Insurance

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Latest
  3. Latest news
  4. Preparing for the 2019 Rugby World Cup

Preparing for the 2019 Rugby World Cup

Publishing Details

Travel

23 Sep 2019
Lauren Haigh

Share

Hand holding olympic torch

Peter Cooper, Global Security Director at Collinson, on risk management for the 2019 Rugby World Cup 

Keep on reading

Safeguarding the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Safeguarding the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Generally speaking, Japan is perceived as a safe and upstanding destination – ranked as ‘low risk’ by insurance and risk management firms – but with the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games…
Read More

22 Mar 2019

Editorial Team

With the 2019 Rugby World Cup on the horizon, insurers and assistance companies alike are putting in place preparations to ensure that tourists’ wellbeing is safeguarded. With potential risks including cyberattacks and earthquakes, there is work to be done, not just by officials but also travellers themselves. Peter Cooper, Global Security Director at Collinson, shared his thoughts on the innate challenges.

“Japan is considered one of the safest countries in the world, with well-resourced and trained security and emergency services, but low risk does not mean no risk,” he said. “Natural disasters are a common concern of travellers heading to Japan, which is in the most tectonically active area of the world. There are over 2,000 fault lines over the country, so powerful earthquakes, such as the one that led to nuclear meltdown at Fukushima, are a real possibility.”

According to Cooper, in addition to the risk of earthquakes, there is also a risk of heavy rain and winds: “Japan’s typhoon season is from May to October, which coincides with the Rugby World Cup 2019, and peaks between July and September. Storm systems bring heavy rain and strong winds, as well as surges near the coast that can be dangerous to buildings and people. These can cause flooding and landslides, resulting in travel disruptions, mass evacuations, and casualties.”

Japan has extremely robust contingency and response for such events, and there are resources that tourists can use

Cooper said that Southern Japan and Okinawa are traditionally the most affected by storms, and although no World Cup games are scheduled there, it has been known for the Kyushu and Honshu islands, where several games are taking place, to be affected. Fortunately, Cooper highlighted that Japan has extremely robust contingency and response for such events, and there are resources that tourists can use. “Travellers are advised to follow directions from World Cup officials,” he recommended. “Smartphone apps, such as the safety tips app from the Japanese tourist authority, are available with information and advice on how to stay safe if caught in a natural disaster.”

Cooper also pointed out that there are challenges associated with differences in culture. “Culturally, in public the Japanese tend to be calm and reserved, and boorish or loud behaviour can often be frowned upon,” he said. “Tattoos are considered taboo, and often linked to organised crime. Travellers should cover these up when in public and access to gyms or swimming pools may be refused.”

Female athlete sprinting

Cooper stated that tourists should have their wits about them when it comes to drugs and alcohol: “The authorities exercise a strict zero tolerance policy to drugs. If arrested, travellers can be detained for up to 23 days without charge whilst investigations and legal process take place, even if the alleged offence is relatively minor. It is unlikely that the authorities will take a heavy-handed approach with visitors to the RWC, but travellers should bear this in mind.” When it comes to the risk of crime, Cooper said that crime levels across Japan are generally low, and the main risks to travellers are from ‘petty, opportunistic types’. “Travellers need to stay alert and keep valuables hidden,” he warned.

Travellers need to stay alert and keep valuables hidden

Cooper also warned of the growth of cybercrime in Japan. “Methods can include infection, compromise, malware, spam email, phishing and social engineering. Travellers should take the usual precautions with personal data when using open networks such as those in hotels, bars and airports,” he said.

With best practices in place, along with advice for travellers on steps they themselves can take to protect themselves, the Olympics looks set to be a roaring success.

Publishing Details

Travel

23 Sep 2019
Lauren Haigh

Share

Keep on reading

Ecology tourism concept

Making sustainable travel a mainstay

Read More

21 Jan 2020

Lauren Haigh

Padlock representing security

Two new travel risk resources to assist in safe travel

Read More

22 Jan 2020

Lauren Haigh

Happy people at the airport

Creating an airport experience travellers love

Read More

27 Jan 2020

Lauren Haigh

Map showing China

BA suspends all flights to and from China

Read More

29 Jan 2020

Lauren Haigh

ITIJ

Footer menu

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

Social

  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
International Travel & Health Insurance Conferences

© Voyageur Publishing & Events 2022