Abu Dhabi Police stress keenness on tourism sector

ABU DHABI: Lieutenant Colonel Muzeed Al Otaibi, Chief of the Tourism Police Section at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has underlined the commitment of the Abu Dhabi Police to dedicate attention to the tourism sector and to provide an appropriate and safe environment for tourists to make the Emirate of Abu Dhabi the most secure and safe tourism destination for families and individuals. He added that an estimated 231,000 people have benefited from tourism-related awareness booklets, maps and brochures distributed by the Abu Dhabi Police in the last 6 years, since 2009 and until last year. Lt. Col. Al Otaibi pointed out that the Tourism Police Section endeavours to enhance public awareness of its tasks and duties that serve the tourism sector, with a view to make the Emirate of Abu Dhabi a favoured touristic destination; thus reflecting the image of the UAE as a safe and secure country that is convenient enough for tourism. He explained that the section has deployed eight awareness touristic platforms at various tourist destinations in Abu Dhabi. These platforms aim to educate the public, especially tourists, about the tasks and cultural services provided by the Tourism Police via a highly qualified team. "This approach would improve security services, provide tourists with the means of comfort, and maintain the security and safety of society in a manner that fosters confidence in the police institution," noted Lieutenant Colonel Al Otaibi. Lt. Col. Al Otaibi indicated that the Tourism Police Section operates patrols that work according to a unified work methodology to promote educational, security and prevention awareness in order to combat crime. "The Tourism Police patrols are deployed at any tourism events or activity, in order to reinforce community relationship, and secure tourist sites and facilities. They also receive and handle grievances, inquiries and suggestions according to frameworks that are commensurate with the requirements of this time and age," he added. He emphasised that the Tourism Police Section has well-trained and qualified staff members who have enrolled in specialised training courses in tourism security, and are familiar with foreign languages such as English, French, Chinese, Filipino, Urdu, Persian among others so that they can easily communicate with tourists and deal with them professionally. "The Tourism Police officers carry out their duties via the outreach platforms deployed at various tourist destinations, notably, the Abu Dhabi Corniche; Al Bateen; Mushrif Central Park; Dalma Mall in Al Mussaffah; in addition to the Galleria in Al Maryah Island; the YasWaterworld and Yas Mall in Yas Island; the arrivals building at the Abu Dhabi International Airport, alongside a temporary platform at Zayed Port, strongly active during the docking of cruise ships." According to Lt. Col. Al Otaibi, the Tourism Police Section seeks to enhance cooperation with members of the public through these platforms. He mentioned that the Section has prepared and distributed a number of awareness publications, such as the "Tourists Guidelines", and leaflets titled "Going to the Beach", "Tourists Guidelines", and "Using Public Transportation." The Section also released several other awareness-raising brochures, maps, and guidelines on the ethics of tourism and code of conduct that should be followed by tourists visiting the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. These brochures aim to raise tourists’ awareness on the UAE traditions and customs, so as to promote the standards of tourism, and spread greater cultural awareness amongst tourists. http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395285981281.html