Bahamian and Jamaican tourism boards insist the country is still safe for tourists after the United States issued a travel warning for the Caribbean nation.
The US embassy in the Bahamas has issued a security warning and travel advisory that the island nation is now unsafe for tourists amid 18 murders – “mainly” motivated by gang violence – in January alone.
The American Embassy in Jamaica also issued a Level 3 travel advisory for travelers to “reconsider travel,” which is just one level short of the most severe warning to Americans against travel at all.
However, the governments of both islands have spoken out to encourage tourists to continue booking trips.
The board of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (BMT) said that the warnings and advisories “do not reflect the general safety of the Bahamas, a country with 16 tourist destinations, and many more islands,” according to Travel Weekly.
The board of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (BMT) said that the warnings and advisories “do not reflect the general safety of the Bahamas.” majaiva
Last year, the Caribbean country welcomed more than 9 million visitors, which they described as “an important achievement for our country.”
However, security concerns have reached a critical level.
“Killings have occurred at all times including in broad daylight on the streets,” the embassy wrote in a statement, recommending the use of “extreme caution” east of the Bahamas capital, Nassau.
Travel advisories issued for Bahamas, Jamaica
- The US Embassy issued a strict security warning and travel advisory on January 24 after the Bahamas saw 18 gang-related murders in January.
- The US embassy warned tourists to use “extreme caution” east of the Bahamas capital, Nassau.
- Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis said in a statement that the government is “alert, concerned, and proactive” in ensuring the island nation “welcomes” tourists.
- The State Department issued a stern travel warning for Jamaica after it was rocked by 65 murders last month. The US Embassy in Jamaica upgraded its travel advisory to Level 3, “Reconsider travel,” which is just one level short of the worst, which warns Americans against traveling at all.
- Now, the Bahamian and Jamaican tourism boards insist the country is still safe for tourists despite the United States’ warnings.
Instead, a popular American tourist attraction is working to enforce new security measures.
“The Government of The Bahamas is implementing a robust and innovative crime reduction and prevention strategy. This comprehensive approach is informed by the latest research and successful international models, focusing on five key pillars: prevention, detection, prosecution, punishment and rehabilitation,” said BMT.
The US Embassy in the Bahamas has issued a safety warning and travel advisory that the island nation is now unsafe for tourists. elvirkin
Meanwhile, the government in Jamaica is also trying to reduce concerns.
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) stated that the crime rate involving visitors to the island “remains very low at 0.01%” but a recent update “reaffirms” the country’s Level 3 designation, set for 2022, according to Travel Weekly.
The board noted that there are “very clearly defined areas within Jamaica that the advisory says are at high risk for crime, so the majority of the island’s tourism product remains unaffected.”
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) stated that crime rates involving visitors to the island “remain very low.” Shutterstock
Last year, Jamaica hosted 4.1 million visitors — including 2.1 million from the US alone.
“Visitors can continue to come with confidence to enjoy all that Jamaica has to offer,” JTB said.
However, the State Department has warned that Jamaica has reported one of the highest homicide rates in the Western Hemisphere for several years.
At least 65 people were killed between January 1 and 27 this year, data from the Jamaica Constabulary Force shows. Surprisingly, the high homicide rate is down from last year — 81 people were killed in the first month of 2023.
The Bahamas and Jamaica are just two of about 200 destinations for which the State Department has issued warnings.
Level 4 warnings have been issued for Burma and Afghanistan in recent months.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
