Canada has followed the US in issuing a travel advisory for the Bahamas, warning travellers to “exercise a high degree of caution” due to high crime rates, particularly in Nassau and Freeport. In a statement, the Bahamas government says it is “is alert, attentive, and proactive” to the situation and “taking rigorous steps to maintain our well-earned reputation, including an enhanced police presence and additional police resources.”

The full travel advisory can be found on the government of Canada website and reads in part: “There has been a decrease in violent crime since the beginning of 2018. Crime, however, including violent crime, still occurs, mainly on the islands of Grand Bahama and New Providence.

“Armed robberies, burglaries, purse snatchings, theft, fraud, and sexual assaults are the most common crimes committed against travellers in Freeport and Nassau. Incidents of robbery also take place in cruise ship terminals and in and around popular resort areas, even in daylight hours.”

The advisory is the second of four designations, marked yellow on a scale of green-yellow-orange-red, the first level described as “take normal security precautions” and the latter “avoid all travel.”

The Bahamas government noted that the overall rating (yellow) for the Bahamas did not change with the newly issued advisory.

The statement, from the office of the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Bahamas, reads as follows:

“The Government of The Bahamas is alert, attentive, and proactive to ensure that the Bahamas remains a safe and welcoming destination. In 2023, The Bahamas welcomed over 9 million visitors, a significant milestone for our nation.

 We were proud to share our crystal-clear waters, beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, warm people, and family-friendly adventures with so many visitors. The rating of the Bahamas has not changed; we remain a level 2 alongside most tourism destinations. The incidents described in the January 2024 US Embassy crime alert do not reflect general safety in The Bahamas, a country of 16 tourism destinations, and many more islands.

 The Government of The Bahamas is implementing a robust and innovative crime reduction and prevention strategy. This comprehensive approach is informed by the latest research and successful international models, focusing on five key pillars: prevention, detection, prosecution, punishment, and rehabilitation.

 Our law enforcement agencies are taking rigorous steps to maintain our well-earned reputation, including an enhanced police presence and additional police resources (including facial recognition CCTV surveillance technology) and training. We have a zero-tolerance policy for firearm possession and a dedicated Magistrate to handle firearm offences.

 The safety and security of everyone is of paramount importance to us and we are confident that The Bahamas will remain safe and welcoming for millions of visitors to continue to enjoy the magic and beauty of our beautiful islands.”