By CLINT CHAN TACK Friday, August 7 2009

TOURISM MINISTER Joseph Ross yesterday refused to comment on speculation that the attack on British couple Peter and Murium Greene was a hate crime. However, he admitted that the upsurge of criminal activity “is having a negative impact upon the image of our twin island republic as a safe tourism Caribbean destination.”

Asked at the post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre to respond to speculation that the attack against Greenes was a hate crime committed by Tobagonians who were upset about foreigners purchasing land on the island, Ross replied, “I cannot respond to that school of thought. I have no idea as to the motive behind it. No idea whatsoever.

“The very nature of tourism is built upon that fragile foundation and is closely aligned as to one’s personal safety.

Confidence in the tourism industry can take several years for us to build and establish and can be lost in the matter of a day,” he stated.

Ross added that 2005 survey by the Tourism Intelligence Agency on the British market said the perceived danger of crime is the second factor which British tourists use to determine whether they should travel to any country.

Stressing that all efforts are being taken “to apprehend those persons who perpetrated this ghastly act,” Ross said additional anti-crime measures will be implemented on the island. These include the establishment of a police unit designed to specifically deal with tourism and a branch of the police marine unit in Tobago. Ross said specially trained police officers will comprise the former unit.

However the minister conceded that no matter how many security measures are put in place “there will always be the odd moment when a criminal may commit a crime and get away.”