ABTA has warned tourists in Antigua to be vigilant after a British doctor was shot dead on the Caribbean island – but insists the incident will not damage tourism to the island.
Catherine Mullany, formerly Bowen, was killed during a robbery at Cocos Hotel at 5am on Sunday morning. Her husband Benjamin remains critical condition in hospital after being shot in the neck.
A spokesman for ABTA said: “Antigua has a reputation of being one of the safest islands in the Caribbean and we wouldn’t expect this to have a lasting impact on the tourism industry.
“It is an extremely unusual and deeply tragic incident but it is totally out of character for the island. We would advise tourists to be vigilant.”
The Coco Hotel is now working with the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to investigate the shooting. In the meantime, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has provided additional police security at the hotel which will remain in place until the review is complete.
Cocos Hotel owner Andrew Michelin said the hotel already had 24 hour security guards, perimeter fencing and security cameras, but more security would be added if necessary.
Antigua’s opposition deputy leader Gaston Browne told Sky News the attack had been “an attack on our livelihood”. He said the island depended on tourism and criticised the government for not prioritising the fight against gun crime.