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New District Constables to Operate in Specific Areas

By: , July 5, 2017

The Key Point:

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says District Constables (DCs) who have been trained under the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) programme will be given strict orders as to the areas in which they must operate.

The Facts

  • Addressing a graduation ceremony for 90 newly trained DCs at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, in St. James, on July 4, the Minister said the DCs form part of the Visitor Safety Unit. 
  • The Minister explained that the establishment of Destination Assurance Councils, launched recently in conjunction with the Visitor Safety and Security Programme, is essential to the seamless, successful and rapid development of the sector, and that now, more than ever, the success or failure of a tourist destination depends heavily on being able to provide a safe and secure environment for visitors.

The Full Story

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says District Constables (DCs) who have been trained under the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) programme will be given strict orders as to the areas in which they must operate.

Addressing a graduation ceremony for 90 newly trained DCs at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, in St. James, on July 4, the Minister said the DCs form part of the Visitor Safety Unit.

“The specific operational zones for the Visitor Safety Unit are cruise-ship piers; commercial districts, especially those frequented by visitors; craft markets; beaches and major attractions. Constables will be strategically placed in areas identified as hotspots. We need to do everything within our powers to protect our tourism industry, so it can grow exponentially and benefit more people,” he said.

Mr. Bartlett argued that destination assurance is very important to Jamaica as competition in the international marketplace heats up.

“The fact is, Jamaica is competing with destinations all over the world for travel dollars.  It is, therefore, critical that we establish a competitive advantage that sets us apart from other international destinations,” the Minister said.

“This calls for us to provide our visitors with authentic and high-quality tourism experiences. This is what we call Destination Assurance – guaranteeing our visitors that their expectations of an outstanding visitor experience will be met. A critical element of destination assurance is ensuring the safety and security of our visitors,” he added.

The Minister explained that the establishment of Destination Assurance Councils, launched recently in conjunction with the Visitor Safety and Security Programme, is essential to the seamless, successful and rapid development of the sector, and that now, more than ever, the success or failure of a tourist destination depends heavily on being able to provide a safe and secure environment for visitors.

He said efforts must be made at all levels to preserve Jamaica’s reputation as a destination in which crime against tourists is minimal.

“If our visitors don’t feel free to move around unharassed, and enjoy the beauty of Jamaica as freely as they want, then very soon there will be a decline in arrivals.  In turn, this will result in a decline in business for hotels, restaurants, taxi operators and our artisans and craftpersons. We have to control crime and harassment in Jamaica if we are to realise the true potential of tourism in terms of consistently increasing our visitor arrivals and providing benefits to Jamaicans,” the Minister said.

 

Last Updated: July 5, 2017

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