Bahamas Addresses Recent US Travel Advisory

Bahamas Government Commits to Proactive Measures Following US Advisories for "Increased Caution" on Island Visits

Despite a recent travel advisory from the US State Department, the Bahamas government assures it remains a "safe and welcoming destination" for tourists. The US issued a Level 2 Travel Advisory on January 26, 2024, advising increased caution due to a rise in violent crimes, including burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults. This advisory, which highlights risks in both tourist and non-tourist areas, emphasizes the need for vigilance, particularly in short-term vacation rentals without private security.

Responding to this advisory, Bahamian officials stated that the Level 2 status of the Bahamas has been consistent and that cruise ship traffic continues as usual. They emphasized that the incidents mentioned in the US Embassy's January 2024 crime alert do not represent the general safety across the country's 16 tourism destinations and many islands.

To address these concerns, the Bahamian government is implementing a comprehensive approach focusing on prevention, detection, prosecution, punishment, and rehabilitation. This includes enhancing police presence, deploying additional resources like facial recognition CCTV surveillance, and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for firearm possession.

Additionally, the US Embassy in Nassau issued a separate security alert on January 24, noting 18 homicides in Nassau in 2024, often related to gang violence. Visitors to Nassau and eastern New Providence Island are advised to exercise extreme caution, especially at night.

The advisory also highlighted safety issues with watercraft activities popular among cruise ship passengers, such as rented boats, swimming, and shark encounter tours. It warned that some operators might lack safety certifications and proper maintenance, with a recent incident on November 14, 2023, where a ferry sank, leading to a cruise passenger's death.

Despite these advisories, Nassau's cruise traffic has been thriving, with the port setting new passenger records annually. A $300 million expansion completed last year allows six cruise ships per day. On December 27, 2023, Nassau Cruise Port broke its daily record with 29,316 cruise passengers. By November 30, 2023, nearly 3.89 million guests had visited, approaching the expected 4.2 million for the year.