By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Minister of Tourism yesterday urged to the Bahamas to further improve its image and avoid repeated crime advisories, after the Canadian government became the latest to warn its citizens to “exercise a high degree of caution” when travelling to this nation.

Obie Wilchcombe told Tribune Business yesterday: “We have to constantly work on improving our image globally. The Bahamas must get out of that category of warnings being issued against it. It does have affects.

“We have to appreciate that the short and long-term effects could be destroying  the image of the country and the perception being developed of the Bahamas. We are known in the world as a country of hospitality, a country where people’s personalities make it better in the Bahamas.”

    Mr Wilchcombe added: “If we continue down this road and those warnings are given, we are likely to end up in a category where more and more people end up talking ill of us.

“We sometimes don’t pay attention to it, and then sometimes there is the subtle resistance of coming to your country. You won’t see it until you look at the statistics, maybe years later, and you realise what happened. We have to constantly get positive messages out there.”

The Canadian advisory, which was updated on June 3 and listed as current as of June 6, highlighted the “high rates of crime, particularly  in New Providence”.

The Canadian government warned that “there has been an increase in armed robberies targeting tourists in Nassau”, and sexual assaults are also on the rise.

Canadians are being warned to “stay alert to your surroundings at all times, even in areas normally considered safe, and avoid deserted beaches and do not walk alone, particularly after dark”,

It addsed: “Incidents take place in populated and isolated areas, and even in daylight hours.

“Do not carry large sums of cash or wear expensive jewellery. Ensure that your personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times. If you are threatened by robbers, stay calm and do not resist. Home invasions are also of concern in Nassau.”

The last Canadian crime warning for the Bahamas was in September 2014. The US government, through the US Embassy and State Department, has issued several warnings about crime in Nassau affecting cruise passengers and tourists since.