#Nassau, March 4, 2019 – Bahamas – The Ministry of Tourism & Aviation is
aware of the recent update to the U.S. Travel Advisory for The Bahamas. We
would note that overall, their guidance to citizens remains a Level Two
advisory recommending caution, but not actually urging delay or cancellation of
travel plans to our islands. We recommend that travelers to any destination
maintain awareness of their surroundings and exercise basic precautions, as
they likely would in their home cities and when not on holiday.
In reality, the vast majority of our 6 million
annual visitors do so without any incident whatsoever. According to Royal
Bahamas Police data for 2018, there were only 43 incidents involving tourists,
of which 30 involved U.S. nationals and nearly all were minor offences. The
Ministry of Tourism appreciates the efforts of law enforcement and
congratulates authorities on the progress they have made in significantly
reducing serious crimes like murder (-25%), armed robbery (-18%), attempted
robbery (-19%) and shoplifting (-23%). The safety of residents and visitors is
of paramount importance and efforts to maintain and improve security are a
constant priority for Bahamas authorities as is true for all governments.
Safety and security efforts include the use of
CCTV in addition to a heightened police presence with foot, bicycle and motor
patrols across all areas referenced in the advisory and tourist areas,
including additional Beach Enforcement Officers that have been deployed to
beaches frequented by visitors. Regular communication is in effect between the
Royal Bahamas Police Force Land and Marine Units, Royal Bahamas Defence Force Harbour
Patrol Unit and the Ministry of Tourism to ensure concerns are addressed quickly.
The Ministry of Tourism supports the various
steps taken to address needed changes in regulation and enforcement of measures
to ensure the safety of watercraft activities. The Port Department and, by
extension, the Ministry of Transport and Local Government have sought to
strengthen its laws governing vessels (including enhancements to the Commercial
Recreational Watercraft Act) through the adoption of regional safety codes and
requirements under the Small Commercial Vessel Code and Caribbean Cargo Ship
Safety Code. Such Codes stipulate higher inspection standards, mandatory safety
equipment required on board vessels, criteria for domestic or home built
vessels, dry docking inspections and increased ship manning requirements.
These measures are being aggressively
maintained or pursued by the Ministry of Transport and Local Government and the
Port Department to ensure the Maritime Industry is effectively regulated, thus
ensuring the safety of visitors and all seafarers. This effort includes joint
and coordinated sea patrols by the Police Marine Unit, Defence Force Harbour
Patrol Unit and the Port Department, and development of a citation and
ticketing system for those not in compliance.
Safety and security on land and at sea is critically important for visitors and for the Bahamian people. Aggressive efforts are underway across all relevant Bahamian ministries and departments to ensure that our islands remain a destination that provides a welcoming environment where visitors enjoy our culture and our citizens enjoy economic opportunity.