In 16 out of 28 countries in the Greater Caribbean, the industry is the greatest foreign exchange earner, which accounts for approximately 1/3 of the region’s GDP and provides direct or indirect employment for 1 in every 4 citizens.

The tourism industry presents opportunities for income and employment generation, hard currency earnings and economic growth, however, in developing countries, this sector faces many challenges.

One of these obstacles is the issue of Tourist Safety and Security, which is gaining increasing prominence on the national agendas of many host countries. There is evidence that suggests that very few if any major tourist destinations are immune from the incidences of harassment and crime against tourists.

In the case of potential tourists, threats to personal safety whether real or perceived influence their travel decisions. This perception or reality as the case may be impacts negatively on the image of the destination, seriously endangering the viability and sustainability of the industry, thereby contributing to the destruction of the tourism product.

Policy makers and industry stakeholders are faced with the problem of trying to attain and or maintain market share and international competitiveness, while addressing the difficult aspects of protection and security for tourists.

In order to alleviate the vulnerability of host destinations, governments and stakeholders must incorporate coherent strategies, policies and operating measures for managing tourist security, into the tourism planning and development process.

In attempting to manage Tourist Safety and Security, the industry should initially seek to understand the problem. It is imperative that fundamental terminologies such as “tourists”, and “visitors” are well defined. The principles and practices of tourist safety and security and what constitutes “violence” and “harassment” must be clearly understood. A scientific approach should be undertaken through an assessment of the actual situation, and an analysis of data on crime and harassment of tourists. Policy makers must also examine the responses and best practices in tourist safety and security employed by other destinations.

These investigations will provide valuable inputs for national action plans aimed at improving tourist safety.

Researchers have found that one of the factors that impact on the success of tourist safety initiatives, is the ability of the key decision makers to create strategic public- private sector partnerships and increase social cohesion and capacities for information intelligence sharing.

Several strategies have been employed successfully across the region that combine preventative and direct protective measures. Some countries have addressed law enforcement and judicial issues, by establishing provisional courts that have contributed to fast-tracking the process of dealing with cases involving crimes against tourists. Other laudable initiatives such as Rapid Response Units and community policing projects have been operating successfully.

Some islands within the English Speaking Caribbean have adopted a standardized program of ongoing training in Tourist Oriented Policing and Security. The result is a cadre of professionally trained Tourist Police, who are deployed to tourist zones and as Resort Patrols, where a visible and effective police presence is required.

Another strategic approach is the introduction of traveller safety programs that promote codes of behaviour for tourists. These have become a standard practice in the communication tools utilized by National Tourism Organisations and the accommodation sector.

Recent studies undertaken on tourist safety recommend a coordinated approach to its management. In an attempt to address the critical issues related to this subject, at a regional level, the ACS Member States have agreed to the establishment of a Regional Network for Tourist Safety.

The Network which is in its conceptual stage, could embrace initiatives which will promote uniformity in training practices and standards, as well as in the definition, collection and reporting of data. There are recommendations that its agenda could also encompass capacity building initiatives in Member States.

Ms. Jasmin Garraway is the Sustainable Tourism Director of the Association of Caribbean States. The views expressed are not necessarily the official views of the ACS. Feedback can be sent to mail@acs-aec.org

01 February, 2005