THE BARBADOS TOURISM Product Authority (BTPA) pledged its continued support to the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) in a meeting last week with key officials at the Warrens Office Complex. Chief executive officer of the BTPA Dr Kerry Hall presented a cheque which will be used to purchase additional cameras for the Maxwell, Christ Church area.
Understanding that the tentacles of the tourism industry touch multiple ministries and agencies, the BTPA has forged strong partnerships with several of them, including the RBPF.
This strategic partnership has allowed the BTPA to realise the areas in which the organisation can be of assistance to the RBPF, and under the guidance of tourism police liaison officer, Inspector Pearson McConney, the decision was taken to assist in the development of the surveillance project. The BTPA is satisfied that this donation will help to enhance safety and security on the island.
“The core brand elements of our tourism product are cleanliness, friendliness, safety and security. We can market Barbados as the number one destination to visit, but if we cannot maintain safety and security, our tourism product stands on shaky ground. Barbados cannot afford to have any of these core brand elements compromised,” Hall explained to those gathered.
She added that “we can have the most effective and innovative marketing campaigns and the highest quality product and services. However, any acts of criminal or deviant behaviour can potentially derail the process and severely debilitate the goose that is laying the golden egg”.
That is why it is so important that we focus in on the safety and security brand element and continue to strengthen our relationship with the Royal Barbados Police Force.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police Oral Williams thanked the BTPA for recognising the importance of the RBPF’s work and a surveillance project such as this. Williams also took time to encourage other businesses and members of the public to join the effort by installing cameras which will record footage of their property and its surroundings. He explained that such footage plays an invaluable role in assisting police investigations into criminal activities. (PR)
