By Amanda Roberson , Tico Times Staff

As part of national efforts to combat crime against tourists, 141 tourism businesses owners graduated Saturday from a training course offered by the Public Security Ministry entitled “Security and its Impact on Tourism Development,” according to ministry spokesman Fabián Mesa.

Officials from the ministry’s Community and Commercial Security department traveled to popular tourist areas around the country to teach business owners how to prevent crimes against tourists and what to do when they occur, Mesa said.

“One of the most important tools they (business owners) learned is how to warn tourists, mainly foreigners, of what the main security problems are in this country and how to avoid them,” Mesa said, adding that participants also learned what steps to take if they or their clients become victims of crime.

Tourism companies including Costa Rica Temptations, Swiss Travel Service, Bike Arenal, Cielo Azul and Interbus were among those that participated in the program, which was carried out in conjunction with the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).

Police director Oswaldo Alpízar said this training is one of the first steps the Public Security Ministry is taking to strengthen security for tourists to Costa Rica, according to a statement from the ministry.

“Establishing a relationship with tourism operators will allow us to work together with trained people to eradicate security problems,” Alpízar said.