by KEVIN PAMBA
Bidding to neutralise the tourism deterrent factor
LAW and order problems are considered
among the major challenges that impact on business and the general
development of this country.
Tourism is one of the business sectors that is often said to be
affected by the general lack of law and order in the communities.
Platitudes on the socio-economic potential of tourism abound and
the lack of law and order is regarded as a major deterrent for
this industry to flourish.
Little, if at all, is done specifically to address the law and
order issues in tourism areas or potential destinations of the
country.
The present approach is that the one-size-fits-all programmes to
addressing law and order issues across the country, would have
ripple effect to make business easier in the tourism industry.
Some countries have differed from such an approach. They have
addressed law and order concerns specifically for the tourism
industry.
One such approach is the establishment of “tourist police”.
Greece, Thailand and Nepal are among countries that have
established “tourist police” units stationed in popular tourist
destinations. These are policemen specifically trained and
assigned to look after the welfare of tourists and ensure the
tourism industry operates unperturbed by law and order concerns.
In the Greek approach, the tourist police have been established as
a service of the Greek police force, which carries out various
functions that ensure tourists enjoy their stay and the industry
practitioners’ benefit.
The tourist police service is empowered to ensure that the
tourists and the service providers are not disadvantaged.
The website of the Greek tourist police says the service is
“staffed with specially trained, foreign-language speaking
personnel within the framework of its duties and functions”.
The site says the service provides the following services:
*Provide information to Greek and foreign visitors and offers them
assistance in settling any issues arising with tourist businesses;
*Cooperates with locally competent directorates of tourism and
local authorities in order to deal with tourism issues;
*Ensures that the country’s tourist legislation in force is
applied in all tourist areas, businesses and media, including
hotels, apartments and rooms to let, tourist shops, tourist
agencies and coaches, car and motorcycle rental agencies,
archaeological sites, tourist guides, ski resorts, spa towns, mass
arrival/departure stations, sanitary facilities operating in
tourist businesses and sites of free camping, etc.
*Carry out inspections of tourist businesses with the aim to
provide better services and higher protection to visitors.
The website says “the Greek tourist police can be reached
around-the-clock by dialing 1-7-1”.
“This line provides all kind of information and instructions in
Greek, English, French and German, thus helping tourists to deal
directly with any arising problem.”
In the Nepali approach, the tourist police was established as a
“special unit” of the Nepal police that works under the ministry
of culture, tourism and civil aviation.
“We are always attentive to the problems of tourists and very
sensitive about their security,” says the Nepali tourist police
unit on its website.
“Tourist police assures a safe and pleasant stay to all visitors
in Nepal.
“The main function and responsibility of tourist police is to look
after the welfare of tourists and to assure them a pleasant and a
memorable stay in Nepal.
“Our function is to advise and assist tourists in safety and
security during travelling, trekking, rafting and hotel stay in
any part of Nepal,” the Nepali tourist police unit says.
In the Thai approach, the tourist police divisions are established
in the various hot tourist destinations.
The division on the famous tourist island of Phuket lists the
following as its main functions include:
*Suppression of criminal acts against international tourists;
*Facilitate and provide both Thai and international tourists with
security and protection;
*Promote the Thai tourism industry; and,
*Join with or support any activities of the authorities concerned.
“The main objective of the tourist police is to facilitate and
secure tourists’ throughout Thailand,” says the Thai police on its
website about the division on Phuket.
“We would like you to enjoy your trip in the land of smiles.
Greece, Nepal and Thailand are among countries that are popular
with tourists. They have their share of law and order issues,
particularly Nepal and Thailand. Hence, they have taken concrete
steps to look after their visitors against any form of
lawlessness.
These are lessons PNG could learn if tourism is to be considered
as a major contributor to the socio-economic profile of this
country.
