DPM: Crime Bad for Tourism

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The tourism minister painting the harsh reality of the potential impact of increased crimes against tourists could mean for the country’s number one industry. He says crimes against Bahamians are awful, and crimes against tourists can have an economic impact.

Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister Chester Cooper weighing on the potential fallout of crime on the tourism product.

Cooper’s comments follow those of Prime Minister Philip Davis, who on Monday, told reporters he doesn’t think the current crime situation will result in any fallout.

While there have been no recent major crimes against tourists, Cooper put quite bluntly the potential consequences.

“In effect what we would be doing is biting the hand that feeds us. I said in the budget debate that 60 cents out of every dollar we get is from tourism. We are reliant on tourism for our very way of life. We have maintained a high quality and standard of living and therefore it boggles the mind that anyone would seek to kill the goose or hurt the goose that lays the golden egg,” Cooper said.

Six murders were recorded last week, adding to the triple digit murder count.

Today Cooper making it clear that any crime is bad for The Bahamas and for tourism.

“I am calling on Bahamians to assist the police, assist the Ministry of National Security in terms of managing, curtailing and managing the criminal elements in our community.”