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The US government has issued travel advisories warning and urging tourists to reconsider visiting Jamaica following a surge in recorded violent crimes in the past month alone.

The US State Department has elevated its travel advisory for Jamaica to “Level 3: Reconsider Travel.”  This marks the second warning issued against a Caribbean nation by the US. The US embassy in the Bahamas had previously placed the country on Level 2 – “Exercise increased caution,” advising tourists to maintain a low profile and refrain from fighting back if targeted by crime.

“Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts,” the warning from the US Embassy in Jamaica reads.

According to data from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, there were at least 65 recorded homicides in the country from January 1 to 27. However, this figure was a decrease from the same period in 2023, which saw 81 deaths. In total, there were 1,398 murders reported throughout the entirety of last year.

The US travel advisory Jamaica also highlights that local law enforcement in Jamaica may not consistently respond adequately to serious criminal incidents. Arrests often lead to infrequent prosecution resulting in conclusive sentences. Families of US citizens involved in accidents or homicides often experience prolonged waits, sometimes up to over a year, for Jamaican authorities to issue final death certificates.

It also points out that emergency services and hospital care in Jamaica vary across the island. Public hospitals often lack resources and may not offer high-level or specialised care, and private hospitals require upfront payment before admission. Ambulance services, particularly in rural areas, may not be readily accessible and lack trained personnel.

The travel advisory is important as tourism plays a crucial role in Jamaica’s economy. As the largest island in the Caribbean, Jamaica welcomed 4,122,100 visitors from January to December 2023. This influx, marking a 23.7 percent annual rise, contributed approximately $4.2 billion to the country’s revenue, as reported by CBS News.

Jamaica is also one of the top destinations in the Caribbean for British travellers. In 2022, the country attracted 229,000 visitors from the UK. In the first half of 2023, Jamaica experienced a 69.2 percent surge in overall visitor numbers compared to 2021. This growth has led to record-breaking earnings, surpassing $2 billion.

Assurance from Jamaica, the Bahamas

After the issuance of the travel advisories, the governments of Jamaica and the Bahamas have reassured tourists that it is still safe to visit, encouraging them to continue booking travel plans.

Citing Travel Weekly, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (BMT) board said that the warnings and advisories “do not accurately portray the overall safety of the Bahamas,” as there were 16 tourism destinations and numerous islands. The BMT highlighted the government’s proactive crime reduction strategy, which is built on five pillars, namely prevention, detection, prosecution, punishment, and rehabilitation.

The Jamaican government has also addressed the concerns, with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) highlighting crime rate involving tourists remains exceptionally low at 0.01 percent. The JTB emphasised that the advisory targets specific high-risk areas, leaving the majority of the island’s tourism unaffected.

High-net-worth individuals (HNWI) who still plan to visit both countries are strongly advised to enlist the assistance of security firms like Marengo. They offer comprehensive services, including close protection, fully trained security drivers, and secure ground transportation. Marengo can also provide comprehensive travel security plans, which include equipping HNWI travellers with travel advice, country risk reports, and pre-travel security training.