The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas due to a recent spike in violent crime on the islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama. The advisory comes after 18 murders have been reported in the Bahamian capital of Nassau since the start of 2024.
Background – Crime and Violence in the Bahamas
The Bahamas is known as a popular tropical vacation destination, attracting over 6 million tourists per year with its white sand beaches and vibrant culture. However, the country has struggled with high rates of violent crime for years according to State Department reports.
Nassau, located on New Providence island, accounts for nearly 70% of overall crime in the Bahamas. Murder rates have fluctuated over the past decade, but spiked over the past several years:
| Year | Murders in Nassau |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 91 |
| 2018 | 74 |
| 2019 | 67 |
| 2020 | 73 |
| 2021 | 122 |
| 2022 | 127 |
The uptick in homicides since 2020 has corresponded with an increase in gang activity and drug trafficking throughout the islands. The majority of homicide victims tend to be young men associated with criminal groups according to local authorities.
Tourists have occasionally been caught in the crosshairs as well. In 2022, a California woman was killed in a shooting while on her honeymoon in the Bahamas.
Details of New Travel Advisory
On January 29th, 2023, the U.S. Embassy in Nassau issued an alert due to an “uptick in violent crime” in recent weeks. They urged U.S. visitors to use “extreme caution” while traveling in the Bahamas.
Specifically, 18 murders have been recorded in Nassau since January 1st – a shocking number given that the city saw 127 total murders for all of 2022. Local officials have expressed concern over the violent start to the new year.
In response to the embassy alert and escalating crime reports, the State Department issued a Level 2 travel advisory on January 30th. This means U.S. visitors should “exercise increased caution” due to the heightened risk of violence and crime.
The State Department recommends travelers avoid going out alone at night, conceal personal belongings, and notify friends and family of travel plans while in the Bahamas. They also advise being aware of surroundings at all times, avoiding concealed alleyways and side streets, and following local authorities’ guidance.
Impact on Tourism Industry
Tourism officials in the Bahamas pushed back on the travel warnings, noting that most violence occurs away from main tourist centers. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism said that resort areas remain safe and claimed visitors “can feel secure” during their vacations.
Nonetheless, cruise lines and other travel providers are taking note of the advisories. Major cruise operators like Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian still plan to stop in Nassau but are warning guests to exercise caution when leaving port areas.
| Cruise Line | Guidance to Passengers |
|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | Avoid walking alone at night, don’t wear expensive jewelry, stick to tourist areas |
| Disney Cruise | Remain in groups when off the ship, stay in tourist zones, arrange for port transportation |
| Norwegian | Be vigilant about surroundings, keep valuables secure |
These warnings could scare away some U.S. visitors despite assurances from Bahamian authorities. If sustained, slumping tourism could severely impact the islands’ economy. According to the WTTC, travel and tourism accounts for over 50% of the Bahamas’ GDP.
Efforts to Curb Violence
Bahamian officials have announced plans to curb the elevated violence in response to the travel advisories.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force launched a special task force in February focused on anti-gang initiatives and recovering illegal firearms. Authorities have conducted weapons sweeps and arrested over a dozen suspected gang members involved in recent murders.
In addition, the government plans to invest $5 million in crime-fighting technology like gunshot detection systems and license plate readers according to Prime Minister Davis.
While these measures may help long-term, experts believe violence could remain an issue threatening the nation’s vital tourism industry in the near future.
What’s Next?
It remains unclear if these new anti-crime initiatives can adequately address the deep-rooted gang activity and gun violence in hotspots like Nassau. Murder tallies early in 2024 are still outpacing last year’s totals so far.
The State Department seems unlikely to modify or remove the Bahamas travel advisory until they observe a significant, sustained drop in violent acts.
For now, U.S. visitors heeding the warnings may look to alternative Caribbean destinations like the Cayman Islands, Aruba, or the British Virgin Islands where recent crime rates are much lower according to available data.
The Bahamas economy relies heavily on American tourists however, so officials face immense pressure to clean up the nation’s security challenges. Unless new reforms can turn the tide on homicide and gang crime, the islands may continue struggling to attract wary foreign visitors going forward.
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