ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) — Tourism and Urban Renewal Minister Robert Tonge Monday condemned the violent robbery attack on a visitor saying such an incident “erases years of hard work” to promote Dominica as a tourist destination.

“Tourism contributes significantly to our economy and has many of our brothers and sisters gainfully employed,” Tonge said in a statement, adding that robbery and or assault against any person must not be tolerated.

Tonge said that the unidentified visitor, “who has been to Dominica more than once was robbed of his personal belonging, and in the process got injured, treated at the Princess Margaret Hospital and left the island the same day.

“We all feel the pain when such incidents happen to one of our family member,” Tonge said, adding that he wanted all Dominicans “to denounce any form of crime and violence against our visitors.

“One incident erases years of hard work,” he said, adding “just imagine the social media images of his bloodied face and the impact it will have on Dominica tourism industry”,

Tonge said he has been informed by the police that they had a “lead and will do their best to bring the matter to a close soonest.

“I ask as all to protect our economy by stopping and reporting any form of crime,” he added.