Business leaders warn of threat to tourism from crime surge

SecondBusiness leaders have sounded the alarm over a recent surge in violent crime, warning that it poses a major threat to the island’s vital tourism industry and the global reputation it relies on.

The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) and the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) have called for urgent action to address rising crime rates which they say could have devastating consequences for the economy if left unchecked.

BHTA President Javon Griffith expressed serious concern about the recent surge in violence, particularly in the past three weeks.

“The past three weeks have been a shock for all of us in the industry. We hope this situation will be over as soon as possible,” Griffith said at a news conference hosted by the BPSA.

He warned that the situation could prompt travel warnings in major source markets, which could hinder overplanting of crops.

“We are very aware of that and we hope that this doesn’t happen, especially in the next two weeks when our main event, the Crop Over Festival, is going to take place,” he said.

Griffith stressed that safety is vital to Barbados’ tourism brand: “First and foremost, our destination has safety as one of its brand pillars. So, once people no longer feel that the destination is safe, it is a direct threat to the tourism industry.”

He outlined the far-reaching impact that a damaged reputation could have.

“Tourism is the lifeblood of our economy, providing employment to thousands of people and contributing significantly to our GDP. If there is a persistent perception that Barbados is an unsafe destination to visit, it will lead to a drop in visitor numbers, impacting a wide range of businesses from hotels and restaurants to travel agencies and local artisans,” he explained.

“Tourism revenues are spread across the economy, supporting not only those directly employed in the industry but countless other businesses and services. When tourism suffers, the whole country suffers.”

Calling for a comprehensive strategy to combat crime, the tourism director general said: “We need a comprehensive strategy that includes enhanced security measures, greater community engagement and addressing the root causes of crime. This is not only to protect our tourism industry; it is also to safeguard the future of our country.”

Mr. Griffith stressed the need to maintain Barbados’ positive image abroad: “Our marketing efforts have always been focused on highlighting Barbados as a beautiful, welcoming and safe destination. We cannot allow recent events to overshadow the hard work we have put into building that reputation. We must confront these issues head on and reassure potential visitors that Barbados remains a safe place to visit.”

He suggested that the government and the private sector collaborate on crime prevention: “This is a national problem that requires a national response. We need to work together to implement effective solutions, whether that’s through increased law enforcement funding, community outreach programs, or working with international agencies to combat gun trafficking and other criminal activities.”

The BHTA president also stressed the role of communities in the fight against crime: “Our communities are the first line of defense against crime. By fostering a sense of pride and ownership in our communities, encouraging residents to look out for one another, and providing support and opportunities for at-risk youth, we can create a safer environment for everyone.”

BPSA independent director Anthony Ali, managing director and CEO of Goddard Enterprises Ltd., echoed those concerns, warning of the potential for long-term damage to Barbados’ reputation.

Ali drew parallels to St. Lucia’s past crime waves, warning that “the effects of such crime waves are often delayed, or manifest themselves much, much later than they actually occur.”

He noted that the deterioration in security had been gradual but was now becoming more pronounced. “We are talking about an increase in crime in Barbados over the last few months. By the way, it has gotten worse over the last few years, it has gotten worse and worse and I think we are seeing the effects of that today,” he said.

Ali shared a worrying anecdote about the impact this has had on business decisions: “We were looking to hire an employee to come to Barbados, but they came back and said that all things considered, we might want to stay put because we’re not quite sure where the crime is going to spread.”

Despite these challenges, he praised Barbados’ long-standing reputation for safety: “For many years, Barbados has been one of the safest places to be.” But he warned: “In light of what has happened today, I think we are tarnishing that reputation and the impact of it will be more far-reaching than what we will see in a few weeks.”

Ali stressed the need for a coordinated response to the crisis: “This is not a simple solution. It really requires a holistic approach from institutions, NGOs, governments, social partnerships, as well as the private sector. Everyone needs to understand that they have a role to play, and they all need to step up and participate.”

He called for a unified strategy: “We just need to figure out at a higher level what that strategy is so that we can all be pulling in the same direction rather than working in silos and trying to solve problems but not actually making any progress.” (RG)