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Kerzner International Launches Security Training Programme

With safety and security becoming more important to travelers worldwide, Kerzner International is committed to ensuring that its guests feel that they have chosen a comfortable, safe and secure travel destination. Therefore, the security management team at Atlantis has launched a “Security Customer Service Training Programme,” which is essentially a programme designed to enhance awareness amongst its security personnelラ a reminder that they are more than security officers but persons that make a major contribution to the enhancement of our tourism product.

Mr. Simeon Storr, Senior Director of Security stated, “We felt that there was a need for management to put together a more extensive training exercise where we encompass the history of the Bahamas, Paradise Island and Atlantis extending back as far as the Resorts International era ラ to give the officers a better sense of appreciation for the environment in which they work; where the company has come from, and obviously where we as employees can actually help to take it.”

During the recent four-day training programme, the officers underwent classes consisting of games, activities, workshops, videos and guest speakers. Persons that made a major contribution to this effort were Members of the Ministry of Tourism ラ in particular from the Bahama Host Programme; senior and executive management of Kerzner International and the companyᄡs training personnel.

The entire project was the brainchild of Mr. Basil Dean, Senior Vice President of Security, who also initiated the creation of a visual aid to get the message across that management is dedicated to the training process and to improve officersᄡ understanding of their role. The Public Relations Department assisted with the script and filming of a security training video by the departmentᄡs management team.

The video consisted of interviews with Atlantis guests, executive management and other hospitality industry representatives. Mr. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Director General of Tourism, sent a message reminding viewers of the importance of security especially after September 11th and the fact that most travelers take into consideration their safety when it comes to choosing a vacation destination.

Mr Storr, commenting on the video said, “It allowed the officers to see and hear from persons involved in the industryラeven at the highest levelラthat clearly, security is taken very seriously by everyone, and that they should feel proud about what they do.” He also explained that the programme was a learning process and with the assistance of an “undercover” video also used during training, that the team was able to witness the departmentᄡs shortcomings and to act upon them. “This exercise was used to critique the entire security process and to determine whether or not to add or make any changes that could create a more positive impact on our guests.”

“There are plans to make the four-day training an ongoing process, and to implement it as a part of the regular security training that currently takes place,” said Mr. Storr. He continued, “the reinforcement of this type of training will help the department in its ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of our visitors.

With the feedback received as a result of a survey answered by the almost 30 security officers that participated to date, they too agreed and welcomed the idea. Security Officer, Allen Neely said, “The workshop was very informative and fun. There should not be a limited amount of seminars such as theseラour staff are like knives, the need to be kept sharpened.”

“One of Kerzner Internationalᄡs all-important goals is to provide exemplary service to both its internal and external customer,” said Basil Dean. “As such,” he continued, “we feel that the this type training will further equip our security officers with the knowledge and enthusiasm they need to help the company and the security department in particular achieve this goal. Additionally, we are seeking to further instill in our officers a deeper sense of pride and commitment to the security profession since security officers are being called upon much more now to continue to make the Bahamas a safe destination.”

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