Coastal hotel boom raises fears for worker safety amid disaster risks

The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) has raised the alarm over the continuing construction of coastal accommodations without adequate systems in place for the safety of hundreds of employees in cases of natural disasters.

BHTA Chairman Javon Griffith is particularly worried about the fate of hotel workers who he said are often expected to remain on the job during storms and incidents of flooding.

The vast majority of the BHTA members are hotels along the island’s coastal tourism belt. 

“While building hotels along Barbados’ coastline boosts tourism, it does raise concerns about employee safety during natural disasters,” Griffith told Barbados TODAY on Thursday in response to queries about the risks posed to existing employees and those who will work as a result of the apparent boom in beachside hotel construction.

“Coastal properties face high risks from storms and flooding, yet hotel workers are often expected to remain on site or return quickly after such events, placing them in harm’s way.”

The BHTA chair revealed that this has prompted the secretariat to introduce urgent measures to try to address the issue.

“This is why our secretariat recently conducted a hurricane preparedness audit, which will be an annual occurrence and will show us how prepared properties are, what plans they have in place, and what insurance coverage is in place,” he said.

“To further address this, I do believe all future hotel projects should include stronger disaster preparedness plans, specifically for employees, such as safe shelter and transport support.

“Additionally, more resilient building designs and inland development should be encouraged.”

The head of the hoteliers’ umbrella representative body is also adamant that sustainable tourism must prioritise both environmental protection and the wellbeing of workers who keep the industry going. 

(EJ)