The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas takes
note of the travel advisory issued today, 26 February 2019, obligatorily by the
United States Department of State on The Bahamas, which includes cautions
regarding the inconsistent regulation of the commercial recreational watercraft
industry, including water tours.
The Ministry takes note that the travel advisory from the Department of
State no longer warns Americans to avoid the areas known as “Over-the-Hill”
(south of Shirley Street) and the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay in Nassau, but,
rather, notifies Americans to “exercise caution” in those areas.
The Ministry provides the following for the information of the general
public:
- Overall, the guidance of the US Department of State to its citizens
remains at Level Two, which recommends caution but not actually urging delay or
cancellation of travel plans to the islands of The Bahamas, falls in line with
Bahamian recommendations to travellers to any destination to maintain awareness
of their surroundings and exercise basic precautions, as they likely would in
their home cities and when not on holiday;
- The reality is that the vast majority of the six (6) million visitors
who come to The Bahamas – by air, sea, and cruises – vacation in our islands
without any incident whatsoever, but, notwithstanding, The Bahamas takes the
safety of residents and visitors very seriously and will continue to work in
keeping the safety and
security of all visitors to our shores priority;
- The efforts of law enforcement authorities, along with significant
investments by the Government of The Bahamas in human capital and information
technology to fight crime, have made significant progress in reducing serious
crimes like murder (-25%), armed robbery (-18%), attempted robbery (-19%) and
shop-breaking (-23%). These efforts are commended by the Administration and
people of The Bahamas; and
- There has been and
continues to be collaboration between the Ministries of Tourism and Aviation
and Transport and Local Government with the Port Department to address needed
changes in regulation and enforcement to ensure safe and responsible operation
of commercial
recreational watersport and excursion tour companies.
The Ministry reiterates to the Bahamian public at large and to visitors
alike that the Government of The Bahamas takes all recommendations to
travellers to any destination very seriously, not only to ensure their safety
and security, but to ensure their enjoyment of wonderful, meaningful,
fun-filled and memorable experiences in The Bahamas.
Presss Statement: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Nassau, The Bahamas