A decade has passed since the world came face to face with Islamic terrorism. Most remember vividly what they saw on their television screens on September 9, 2001 or experienced. But aside from this lasting global sense of involvement, it is far from clear whether the event in itself really changed the world or whether, more realistically, it was the point at which a new reality dawned about globalisation and the inability of sovereign nations to contain economic, political or security threats within their borders.
That day I was in London with the then Director General of the Caribbean Hotels and Tourism Association, John Bell. We had just finished speaking to investors about the opportunities in the Caribbean tourism sector when we first learnt what had occurred. Later we stood among a large group of silent and shocked passengers waiting for the high speed train to Brussels, watching as the twin towers fell to the ground.
Looking back at what I wrote at the time I suggested that although the chances of being touched by terrorism were remote, the quality of life would deteriorate. Our lives would be more