GOVERNMENT WARNS ABOUT TRAVEL TO JAMAICA, T&T AND HAITI
GOOD AND BAD NEWS: Caribbean Travel Shorts
ANTIGUA: The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority announced earlier this month that beginning December 23rd weekly direct service between Antigua’s V.C. Bird International Airport and Montreal. The Air Canada flight is already sold out for its inaugural voyage.
NASSAU: 2022 Boxing Day and January 2nd 2023 marks the return of the famous Bahamas Junkanoo national cultural festival to the streets of Nassau. This is the first time it will be held in two years! This is a cultural festival and street parade. There will be accompanying Events on most of the islands throughout the Christmas holiday season.
NEW PROVIDENCE ISLAND. Bahamas takes stretching to the next level with Flamingo Yoga! For just $60, you’re invited to stretch your limbs with the flexible-necked birds at Baha Mar on New Providence Island. The flamingos here are known to be friendly, and at times, goofy as they try to mimic humans making yoga poses beside them on the yoga mat!
GRENADA has issued a media alert to advise that Caribbean Airlines has increased their flight schedule. Daily service between Maurice Bishop International Airport and Piarco International, Trinidad, became effective on November 26, 2022.
Prime Minister Hon. Dickon Mitchell welcomed the increased intra-regional flights. “The return of a daily flight service between Grenada and Trinidad is a win for our islands but also a win for the region, which has been struggling significantly with intra-regional travel.”
SAFETY WARNINGS: concerning Jamaica and Trinidad &Tobago. On December 1st and 2nd the Government of Canada’s issued a warning to Canadians planning to visit two Caribbean nations.
JAMAICA: “Exercise a high degree of caution in Jamaica due to the high level of violent crime,” reads the warning. “Violent crime including armed robbery and murder, is a problem in large cities and tourist areas, including parts of Kingston and Montego Bay, despite the presence of police to counter criminal activity”
The warning notes that the availability of firearms is widespread, and most violent drug- and gang-related crimes, especially murder, involve firearms in Jamaica. There is a risk of becoming the victim of crossfire in these areas.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: A day after issuing the Jamaica warning, the Canadian Government notes that Canadians travelling to Trinidad and Tobago, should “exercise a high degree of caution due to violent crime.”
“Violent crime, including armed robberies, assaults, and sexual assaults, occurs frequently on the island of Trinidad, especially in the capital, Port of Spain,” reads the warning. “Tourists have been targeted at public gatherings and festivals, such as Carnival. There is a threat of terrorism.”
Travellers are warned not to travel at night and to be vigilant at ten popular tourist sites. The warning includes driving along the Beetham Highway. “Criminals have targeted cars stopped on this road and victims have been carjacked, assaulted, and robbed. Drive with windows closed and doors locked, since thefts can occur at traffic lights or in slow-moving traffic. Gangs have followed cars leaving Trinidad’s Piarco International Airport to rob travellers at their destinations.”
HAITI: While the warnings about travelling to Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, are concerning, according to Canada’s travel agency the most dangerous place in the Caribbean is Haiti.
Global Affairs Canada updated its warning concerning visiting Haiti on December 2nd. The warning is harsh!
“Avoid all travel to Haiti due to the threat posed by kidnappings, gang violence and the potential for civil unrest throughout the country. The country is facing severe shortages of basic necessities such as fuel, potable water and food.”
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