Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe in response to recent terrorists bombings at a hotel resort in Bali, is stressing the need to ensure that guests are safe and secure while enjoying the Sun, Sand and Sea.
Mr. Wilchcombe expressed his concern after a car bomb exploded in Indonesia at a night club, Saturday killing 180 people. The night club was filled with foreigners on the resort island of Bali. The bombing has been confirmed to have been the work of al-Qaida terrorists.
Mr. Wilchcombe said he spoke with Mr. Basil Dean, head of security at the Sun Atlantis Paradise Island about increasing security at the resort.
In the wake of the night club bombing in Bali, Minister Mr. Wilchcombe noted his concern for guests as hotels are known to have a high concentration of foreigners.
He said this makes them targets for terrorists in the days following September 11th.
Mr. Wilchcombe said all hotel security and staff must ensure their guests have an enjoyable and memorable stay as well as a safe one.
In this regard he said all hotel staff must ensure that security at their various resort is strengthened so as to prevent a catastrophic situation.
Mr. Wilchcombe said he will pursue the issue with his Cabinet colleagues to protect all visitors.
“The fact still remains that no boundary is beyond reach or off limits and so we must be very concerned, so every hotel security officer must see it as his or her responsibility to pay close attention to all activity at their hotel,” said Mr. Wilchcombe.
He said Bahamians cannot sit idly by and allow our number one industry by threatened by cowards.
By Sean Inniss, The Nassau Guardian
