Bartlett announces noted international expert for security audit team

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has announced that highly regarded international expert Dr Peter Tarlow will join the team carrying out the intensive security audit of the tourism sector.
 
“Following my recent commissioning of a full security audit of all hotels and attractions, we have requested the support of international expert Dr Peter Tarlow to join the operational team from the Tourism Product Development Company, which is driving the process,” Bartlett said in a statement.
 
“We want to make it clear that the ministry is moving aggressively through its destination-assurance strategy to continue the process of maintaining Jamaica as a safe, secure, and seamless destination, and enlisting Dr Tarlow is part of that strategy,” he added.

The security audit, which is to be completed by the first half of 2019, will identify gaps and ensure that the destination remains safe and secure for visitors and locals alike.

Security arrangements are part of the licensing requirements for many sector operators, and significant weakness or breaches will result in tough sanctions.

According to the tourism ministry, so far, over eight properties have been audited. 

The Tourism Working Group, which was recently established by Bartlett to conduct a comprehensive review of issues in the sector and is headed by PricewaterhouseCoopers senior partner Wilfred Baghaloo, will also be part of the process.

About Dr Peter Tarlow

* Dr Peter Tarlow is a scholar in the area of tourism safety, a consultant for the tourism industry, and the founder of Tourism & More Inc.

* He is the author of Event Risk Management and Safety and teaches tourism safety to police chiefs around the world.

* Dr Tarlow has worked with the US's Federal Bureau of Investigation, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the United Nations' World Tourism Organization, among other recognised institutions.

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