The Bahamas authorities insists it stays a “secure and welcoming vacation spot” for vacationers regardless of a latest warning issued by the US State Division.
Current Crimes Spur Replace to Journey Advisory to The Bahamas
Bahamian authorities officers on December 30 issued a proper reply to latest US warnings that the islands have seen a rise in violent crimes.
“The Authorities of the Bahamas is alert, attentive, and proactive to make sure that the Bahamas stays a secure and welcoming vacation spot,” the assertion begins.
A Stage 2 Journey Advisory was issued by the US State Division on Friday, January 26, 2024. Such an advisory is a advice to “Train Elevated Warning” when visiting the desired vacation spot.
Although the Bahamas had been listed as a Stage 2 alert location for greater than a 12 months, latest considerations prompted US officers to replace the advisory.
Violent crime, akin to burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, happen in each vacationer and non-tourist areas,” the advisory reads. “Be vigilant when staying at short-term trip rental properties the place non-public safety firms do not have a presence.”
In its official reply, the Bahamian authorities identified that its Stage 2 standing has remained unchanged. Cruise ship visitors to the islands, in the meantime, stays unaffected by the advisories.
“The incidents described within the January 2024 US Embassy crime alert don’t mirror normal security in The Bahamas, a rustic of 16 tourism locations, and lots of extra islands,” the assertion reads.
Learn Additionally: Supreme Nassau Motels for Cruise Guests
Nonetheless, the Bahamian assertion does define a technique for coping with the elevated consideration. Officers say they’re implementing a “complete strategy” that may give attention to prevention, detection, prosecution, punishment, and rehabilitation.
“Our regulation enforcement companies are taking rigorous steps to keep up our well-earned repute, together with an enhanced police presence and extra police sources (together with facial recognition CCTV surveillance know-how) and coaching,” the assertion reads.
Bahamian officers added that their nation has a “zero-tolerance coverage” for firearm possession
US Embassy Warns Guests
A separate safety alert was issued by the US Embassy in Nassau on January 24, noting that 18 homicides have been reported in Nassau up to now in 2024.
“Murders have occurred in any respect hours together with in broad daylight on the streets,” the embassy’s alert reads. “Retaliatory gang violence has been the first motive in 2024 murders.”
For that motive, guests are urged to train excessive warning when visiting Nassau and the jap a part of New Windfall Island. Strolling and driving at night time is discouraged, and guests are suggested to maintain a low profile.
Vacationer actions involving watercraft had been additionally identified by the US State Division as a spotlight level for safety and security points.
This contains rented boats, swimming, and shark encounter excursions – actions which are common shore excursions for cruise passengers when visiting the Bahamas. Guests ought to notably be cautious when reserving actions that aren’t provided by the cruise strains.
“Watercraft could also be poorly maintained, and some operators could not have security certifications,” the advisory stated. “Industrial watercraft operators have discretion to function their vessels no matter climate forecasts; accidents and fatalities have occurred.”
On November 14, 2023, a Blue Lagoon Island ferry sank in tough waters, ensuing within the loss of life of a cruise passenger. The double-decker boat was en path to Blue Lagoon Island from the Nassau Cruise Port.
Nassau Cruise Site visitors Anticipated to Hit New Report in 2023
Cruise ship visitors is large enterprise to the Bahamas, with passenger counts setting new data yearly. Final 12 months, the port accomplished a four-year, $300 million enlargement mission that included including a brand new berth, permitting Nassau to accommodate six cruise ships per day.
On December 27, 2023, Nassau Cruise Port witnessed 29,316 cruise passengers from six totally different ships, breaking a every day file set in February 2023. For all of 2023, Nassau was anticipating 4.2 million passengers. As of November 30, it was almost there, with 3.89 million company visiting the port.
