By Wendy Anders

 

Recent data from the Costa Rican Tourist Board (ICT, in Spanish) shows a full 27 percent of the country’s workforce perceiving income or wealth from their connection, either direct or indirect, with the tourism industry.

A new alliance between public safety institutions and the tourism sector promises to add an extra level of protection for visitors, said judicial investigative police (OIJ) this week.

Taking care of the goose that lays the golden tourist egg is no small job. Last year, approximately 2.6 million tourists visited the small country, and the industry generated an estimated $2.85 billion, which represents 20 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, according to the latest ICT data.

The OIJ’s initiative, carried out in coordination with the ICT, will identify high-risk areas for tourists, and will involve conducting talks and trainings for tourist business chambers in local communities, thus engaging local actors on the issue of crime and its negative impact on tourism, and enhancing preventive and crime management measures.

Issues to be discussed with local business owners include crime reporting, handling crime scenes, preparation of evidence, participation of consulates in the criminal process, and other important issues relating to handling crime situations, which largely consist of thefts against tourists.

Last year, the OIJ did a test run of similar talks in the beach towns of Jacó, Malpaís, Santa Teresa, Puerto Viejo and Tamarindo. The events led to the creation of tourist safety groups that improved communication and coordination among business owners and with local police and courts to promote tourist safety.

Based on this positive experience, the OIJ and ICT decided to formalize their joint efforts to improve tourist safety throughout the country, said police.