NEW YORK, United States — Jamaicans living in the United States have welcomed the US State Department’s travel advisory upgrade on the island, saying that it has positive implications for tourism and gives weight to the country’s crime reduction achievements.

“It is a move in the right direction,” Dr Allan Cunningham, a Florida-based university lecturer, told the Jamaica Observer. “The revised travel advisory bodes well for Jamaica and will only boost the image of the country. For us in the Diaspora, this is a welcome relief.”

He said that both the Government and security forces are to be commended for their efforts in securing a reduction in the murder rate and other serious crimes which, he believes, contributed to the State Department’s decision to revise the travel advisory.

Ronnie Hammick, president of the Ex-Correctional Officers Association of Jamaica, agreed, saying he “was delighted” with the decision.

“Along with the recent discoveries of weapons and ammunition and the reduction of murders and other serious crimes, there is hope that we in this country can once again be proud of our homeland,” Hammick said.

On May 29, 2025 the State Department announced that it had revised its travel advisory for Jamaica to level 2 from level 3. The decision came two months after a visit to the island by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during which he committed to reviewing the Level 3 advisory which, among a number of other factors, had been negatively impacting the tourism industry.

The Level 3 advisory urges Americans to reconsider travel to Jamaica, while level 2 tells US citizens to exercise increased caution when visiting the island.

Jamaican Government and tourism officials have noted that the Level 2 classification is shared by larger and much more developed countries, among them the Dominican Republic, Panama, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, and others.

The State Department noted in the advisory that, “Tourist areas generally see lower rates of violent crime than other parts of the country.” At the same time it said that, “while violent crime in Jamaica has decreased since 2024, it remains statistically high throughout the country”.

Jamaica has been recording significant reductions in murders and shootings since the start of the year. The latest data from the police show a 44.2 per cent decrease in murders between January 1 and June 14 this year, compared to the same period in 2024, while shootings are down by 32.5 per cent over the comparative periods.

Responding to the travel advisory upgrade last month, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness said the Government has been deliberate and data-driven in its approach to reducing crime and improving the safety of Jamaicans.

“Jamaica remains one of the most vibrant and welcoming destinations in the world, and we are pleased that our progress is being recognised,” he added.

Holness also said the travel advisory upgrade “is not incidental… It is the direct result of years of targeted policy implementation, investment in security infrastructure, and sustained diplomatic engagement. It signals to the international community that Jamaica is safer and a more secure destination, not only for visitors, but for residents”.

Last week Carmeta Albarus, founder and head of the Family Unification and Resettlement Initiative — an organisation that has been assisting deported Jamaicans — said she is pleased with the Level 2 advisory, although she has not been able to fully digest its impact.

Dwight P Bailey, a former member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force who now lives in New York, also welcomed the revised travel advisory and argued that it was influenced by the reduction in the island’s murder rate and the recent arms and ammunition finds.

He said, however, that he would like to see more arrests for the illegal shipments of arms into the country.

Michelle Tulloch-Neil, the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council representative for the North-East US, described the advisory upgrade as a “positive step as it signals a reduced level of risk for all travellers”.

“This is especially significant, given the vital role tourism plays in Jamaica’s economy,” added Tulloch-Neil.

She said that while she felt safe during a recent visit to the island she remained vigilant and aware of her surroundings, “something I practise in my own city of Philadelphia”.

Describing the advisory upgrade as an excellent move, “which can only improve the image of the country as a safe travel destination”, D Roy Davidson, a former head of the National Association of Jamaica and Supportive Organisations, said increased revenues from tourism will be vital, given the possibility of a fall-off in remittances from a proposed tax by the US Administration.

Davidson, who lives in California, also commended the Jamaican Government and security forces for the reduction in murders and other serious crimes, which he credited for the decision by the State Department.

He expressed hope that Jamaica can build on the success of the reduction of major crimes which, he argued, is a result of a diplomatic initiative which the Government and its US partners have been working on for some time.

TULLOCH-NEIL… this is especially significant, given the vital role tourism plays in Jamaica’s economy

DAVIDSON… an excellent move which can only improve the image of the country as a safe travel destination

CUNNINGHAM… for us in the Diaspora, this is a welcome relief