Bahamas tourism minister Dionisio D’Aguilar has taken aim at the ‘exaggerated’ new travel advisory update issued by the US state department.
Although the level 2 advisory is unchanged, it reiterated a number of safety issues which D’Aguilar says is outdated.
Although no major impact to tourist arrivals is expected by the tourism ministry, it is still ‘troubling’ for the destination.
"They say ‘violent crimes such as burglaries, armed robberies and sexual assaults are common; even during the day and in tourist areas,’ I completely disagree with that," D’Aguilar told Eyewitness News Online.
"In 2018, serious crime like murder was down 25 per cent, armed robbery was down 18 per cent, attempted robbery was down 19 per cent but yet our travel advisory remains at the same level."
The vast majority of crime occurs on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands, the advisory said.
It also highlighted the lack of safety regulation in water activities, an area the minister says can be improved.
"There is obviously room for improvement as it relates to the regulation of boats, jet skis and other watercraft," he acknowledged.
"The tourism ministry will be working with the ministry of transport to ensure that those issues are tightened up."
