Jamaica’s tourism leaders have expressed gratitude following the recent visit of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They welcomed his commitment to reassessing the U.S. State Department’s current travel advisory for the island.
Rubio’s visit to Kingston on Wednesday included meetings with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and other government officials. After these talks, Rubio announced, “We pledged to reevaluate the travel advisories to ensure they reflect the reality of the new numbers and the actual situation,” he said.
Prime Minister Holness expressed his optimism, stating, “We are committed to working together to ensure that travel advisories reflect current realities and encourage travel to Jamaica. I’m confident that today’s dialogue will lead to positive outcomes.”
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, also shared his appreciation. “We are very grateful to Secretary of State Rubio for considering our position that the current travel advisory is outdated. Jamaica and the U.S. have a long-standing close relationship, and our friendship remains strong,” he said.
Donovan White, Director of Tourism for the Jamaica Tourist Board, emphasized the importance of U.S. visitors, noting that the U.S. continues to be Jamaica’s top source market. “We love our U.S. visitors, and they love us. Last year, we welcomed over 4 million visitors, most of whom were from the U.S.,” White added.
The U.S. State Department has maintained a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” advisory for Jamaica since July 25, 2024, citing crime rates and limited medical services as reasons. This level is just below the most severe warning, “Level 4: Do Not Travel,” which affects the perception of Jamaica as a tourist destination. The advisory highlights concerns about violent crime, including armed robberies and sexual assaults, even in tourist areas.
While Rubio did not promise a downgrade of the travel advisory, he acknowledged that changes could be made, pointing to the progress Jamaica has made in addressing crime. “Jamaica has made impressive progress in reducing violent crime, including the murder rate,” Rubio said.
Related topics:
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises Marks Milestone for New Ship, Seven Seas Prestige
- FAA to Hire 2,000 Air Traffic Controllers Amid Ongoing Safety Concerns
- Disneyland Announces Summer Offers and Exciting Updates to Shows and Rides
