Authorities for Uruguayan beach resorts Punta del Este and Piriapolis said on Sunday they have begun using satellites and closed circuit television cameras to boost security there.

The authorities of the Maldonado department told reporters on Sunday that they are organizing a large-scale policing system for the region to tackle crime in the resort region, which covers Punta del Este and Piriapolis, beach towns popular with tourists from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Chile.

Businesses and individuals have donated money for the installation of surveillance equipment, according to the authorities.

In a related development, Uruguay's economy ministry said on Sunday that it would double the resources allocated to security for the tourist region in the first quarter of next year.

Tourism is Uruguay's second largest foreign currency earner, only after meat exports.

Source: Xinhua