BY SHEENA FORDE-CRAIGG | JUN 13, 2023
Stakeholders in the tourism industry, mainly accommodation providers and security personnel, today participated in a Safety and Security Sensitivity Workshop, which was hosted by the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), in collaboration with The Barbados Police Service (BPS).
Giving the background to the workshop, BTMI’s Chief Product Development Manager, Marsha Alleyne, said that after having a series of meetings last year with the Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, and tourism stakeholders, it was agreed that a forum should be provided for industry personnel to gain knowledge, tools, and tips on safety and security for their properties, staff and clients.
Ms. Alleyne told those in attendance: “What we want to do…is give you a…collection of things that you can do to ensure that…you are protected, your staff are protected, and our visitors also protected. Hence, the rationale for speaking directly to the owners and managers of the hotels, guest houses, villas and apartments, but also…those persons who directly work in the security area.
“This is to ensure that you are informed, you’re up-to-date and you have…good information that you can actually take forward, to help you be better at what you do, but also to be better in…providing that level of security and safety support to your organisations.”
During the session, Ms. Alleyne also thanked The BPS for the “yeoman service” provided daily to keep citizens, residents and visitors safe.
Those officers presenting from The Barbados Police Service included ASP and Police Tourism Liaison Officer, Pearson McConney; Inspector Stephen Griffith, and Station Sergeant Ainsley Gittens.
The topics they discussed included Fraud; Identity Theft and ways to reduce it; Crime Prevention; Personal Safety and Awareness, and what to look for when hiring security personnel.
The officers encouraged those present to share information when requested by The BPS to help them conduct their duties, including knowing when there would be an influx of visitors to the island, and the areas planned for visits, so they could plan accordingly.
Persons interested in participating in the next session, to be held on Tuesday, June 20, should email product@visitbarbados.org.
