U.S. Embassy Bridgetown hosted a workshop focused on tourism security in Barbados as part of ongoing efforts to promote citizen security and support the country’s economic lynchpin.

The day-long workshop was organized by the Embassy’s Regional Security Office and Overseas Security Advisory Council, in partnership with the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association and the American Chamber of Commerce for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

It focused on recognizing and preventing the most common types of crimes targeting the tourism industry, including credit card fraud, ATM skimming, document and travel fraud, human trafficking, and counterfeit currency.

An audience comprised of tourism industry officials and workers heard presentations from U.S. experts with the Diplomatic Security Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Secret Service.

“The United States and Barbados have a shared interest in protecting the tourism industry from criminal elements,” said Linda Taglialatela, U.S. Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS. “Tourism is a key pillar of Barbados’ economy and many of the visitors helping to drive the industry come from the United States. We are committed to fostering economic development along with safety and security in Barbados and throughout the region.”