Marks wants US State Department to rescind Level 3 travel advisory for Jamaica

Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks wants the Consular Affairs Bureau of the US State Department to rescind or modify its travel advisory for the country, arguing that it does not accurately represent the full picture of the island's situation.

The department has put Jamaica at Level 3.

Marks has also called for all stakeholders, especially those in the Diaspora, to persuade the state department to revise the advisory.

She is arguing that Jamaica does not experience other crimes found in jurisdictions designated as Level 3, noting that the country is a democratic nation that is not involved in any armed conflicts with its neighbours and does not suffer from civil unrest.

Moreover, she said Jamaica has not experienced military coups, terrorist attacks, international piracy, bombings, or random mass shootings.

The travel advisory recommends that United States citizens reconsider travel to Jamaica because of the country's crime rate and healthcare infrastructure.

Marks said that the travel advisory contains unusually negative language, noting that a sustained media campaign over the past week across the United States and other international media could have far-reaching, unprecedented damage to the Jamaican economy.

“Since the issuance of the travel advisory and its coverage by national and international media outlets, there is an impression that there is an outbreak of violence in Jamaica. As a result, there has been a spike in visitor cancellations that has never been experienced before, particularly group bookings such as business, government, students, and churches conferences where travel insurance has either increased or not been made available because of the issuance of this travel advisory,” she said in a post on her social media platforms today.

She said that the perception of increased crime in Jamaica is not true.

Marks said that the travel advisory has the potential to do significant harm to Jamaica's tourist industry, one of the largest and most important industries in the island.

“Tourism contributes 30 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 50 percent of foreign exchange earnings (US$4 billion), and employs 20 percent of the country's workforce (350,000)” she said.

Marks said that the Jamaican government strongly disagrees with the travel advisory, which she said distorts the facts in Jamaica and has today formally advised the US Government of its position.

“The potential negative impact of the travel advisory on Jamaica's economy is extensive and requires all stakeholders to participate in the process of persuading the US State Department to revise 'this punitive action'.”

She said that the advisory's description of crime and health care in Jamaica is incorrect and sought to set out the facts.

Marks said that serious crimes against tourists are extremely rare in Jamaica.

In fact, the data, she said, shows that American tourists are safer in Jamaica than in many cities in the United States.

Pointing out that there were over three million US visitors to Jamaica in 2023, she noted that there were only five homicides and those, regrettably were Jamaican-Americans who were not in resort areas.

She said that of the five killed, two were gang-related, two were robberies and one was interpersonal conflict.

Marks said that last year Jamaica recorded its lowest level of crime in 22 years.

“The government continues to take all efforts to address crime in Jamaica,” she said.

She said that similar to many developing countries, Jamaica's healthcare system is not fully resourced but operates at international benchmarks and has been recognised internationally for its competent healthcare providers.

She noted that many people from other islands who suffer from critical and specialised issues are regularly flown to Jamaica for hospitalisation.

- Lester Hinds 

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.