From Presna Latina

Kingston, Oct 15 (Prensa Latina) Jamaican authorities ordered on Monday an audit of the security systems of the tourism sector with the aim of strengthening the guarantees offered by the country as a destination.

The Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, decreed the review of the system in hotels and other facilities by the Tourism Products Development Company (TPDC), responsible for the quality control in the sector.

‘I have directed the Company to coordinate an intensive safety audit to identify the gaps and ensure that the destination remains safe for visitors and locals,’ Bartlett said in a statement.

‘Security agreements,’ he adds, ‘are part of the licensing requirements for operators in the sector, so we will apply severe sanctions where significant violations and/or weaknesses are detected.’

Security remains one of the main priorities of the Ministry of Tourism, explains the owner, since it is an integral component to maintain the destination guarantee. ‘We are committed to ensuring that all visitors and locals feel safe,’ he adds.

To implement the audit plan, in the coming weeks the company will review the protocols and safety issues throughout the sector and provide the necessary recommendations as detected.

TPDC works in close collaboration with all operators of facilities related to tourism and aims to promote a quality service according to international standards.

The tourism industry is one of the most important in the Jamaican economy, a sector considered by specialists as the fastest growing and the one that contributes the most to the Gross Domestic Product at a global level.

Jamaica is one of the most important tourist destinations in the region with 4.3 million visitors accounted for in 2017, according to official figures.

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IMAGE: securityinfowatch.com