NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) president said yesterday that the security alert issued by the United States over the alarming spate of murders in the country should not have any meaningful impact on the tourism industry at this point. However, he described the crime situation as a “very concerning” and “vexing issue.”
In the wake of the current crime wave in the country, The United States Embassy issued a security alert on Wednesday to its citizens when traveling to The Bahamas. A security alert is distinct from a Travel Advisory.
It stated: “The US Embassy in Nassau advises US citizens to be aware that 18 murders have occurred in Nassau since the beginning of 2024.
“Murders have occurred at all hours, including in broad daylight on the streets. Retaliatory gang violence has been the primary motive in 2024 murders.”
The government agency provided Americans with various steps to help prevent them from becoming victims of criminal activity while visiting The Bahamas.
BHTA president Robert “Sandy” Sands told Eyewitness News that the crime issue was not sectoral but impacted all citizens.
“It is important for a country to be considered safe and hospitable. That is paramount for the socio-economic well-being of our country. It is very concerning. In my 70-plus years on this earth, I would not have fathomed that we would have had 18 murders in one month.
“It is a vexing issue. It is a call to action for citizens in the country to come together and try and work out solutions, some of which are long-term, medium-term, and short-term, but to bring some relief to this scourge,” said Sands.
“We note that the government has taken certain actions on the issue. I think the US Embassy has a responsibility to its citizens to sensitize them to this issue. They are urging their citizens to be aware of what’s happening in the Bahamas.
“We are all concerned, but I am more concerned as a citizen rather than it having an impact on any particular sector. We live in a world where crime is increasing all around us. I do not believe at this point that it would cause us to be alarmed that it would have any meaningful impact on the tourism business going forward.
“However, our traveling public must be satisfied that the country is taking steps to reduce these instances and be assured that when they visit us, their condition in terms of safety can feel secure in this environment,” Sands remarked.
