By the Caribbean Journal staff

In the wake of a spate of tourist deaths in the Dominican Republic, the country’s President, Danilo Medina, has launched a new national committee for tourism security.

The aim of the committee is to “design policies, strategies and programs to prevent, detect, prosecute and eradicate threats that jeopardize the tourism industry in the Dominican Republic,” according to a statement.

The committee will include 18 different members and member ministries, ranging from the Ministry of Tourism to the country’s National Police.

In a statement, the President’s office said the committee would also be responsible for the “execution and supervision of measures that contribute to improving aspects of tourism security in harmony with the dynamics of this industry.”

The Dominican Republic has long been the most popular tourism destination in the Caribbean, as measured by stayover visitor arrivals.

Tourism has seen a steep decline this year, however, in light of the perception of safety issues.

— CJ