CITA calls for dedicated ‘tourism cops’

(CNS): The private sector body which represents the tourism industry has called on the RCIPS and the Cayman Islands Government to consider the implementation of a dedicated tourism police service. The Cayman Islands Tourism Association said the request is being made as it believes there is a need for the destination to maintain the safe environment that the industry promises to visitors. The body said it had a number of ideas about such a service and how it could focus on the needs of visitors and tourism business-owners alike to re-establish confidence in the tourism product. CITA said the tourism economy would be permanently damaged if a tourist gets seriously harmed and they were seeking ways to prevent that from happening.

“In addition to such an alarming potential incident there are already an unsettling number of complaints by long-standing visitors who no longer wish to stay here. Potential and existing investors are also faced with growing concern about the lack of control that RCIPS seems to have within the community,” CITA said in its statement.

The organization said it envisioned that a dedicated tourism police sector could advise and assist tourists during typical activities, such as beach use and safety, undertake late-night patrols near restaurants, bars and accommodations to assure their safety, and make sure guests have a pleasant, memorable stay.

CITA asked for the positioning of dedicated tourism police in areas identified for potential risk or vulnerability, including George Town, Seven Mile Beach, West Bay and the Eastern Districts. It also said the uniformed officers should be clearly identified as Tourism Police to help with the safety of our visitors.

The body said these officers could offer quick action and investigation of any tourist safety complaints (including registering of complaints and providing police reports in the case of personal injury, theft or loss of items) and providing information on travel security and vacation safety to visitors.

Maintaining a safe environment in tourist areas and ensuring a hassle-free vacation, creating a sense of security during all hours of activity and assisting tourists with concerns may help to address the growing concerns that Cayman is no longer the safe destination it once was.