British tourists in Montego Bay, Jamaica, have been advised by the Foreign Office to remain within their hotel resorts following the declaration of a state of emergency in the St James parish. The Jamaican government announced the measure after a series of shooting incidents, prompting a major military operation in the area.
The Foreign Office spokesperson urged travellers to follow local advice, exercise particular care at night, and limit travel beyond their hotel security perimeters. The state of emergency, declared by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, aims to restore public safety and target gangs involved in murders, lotto scamming, arms trafficking, and extortion.
Simon Calder, travel editor of The Independent, noted that gang crime in the region has been intensifying, with an average of six killings per week last year and a worsening trend in 2018. The Gleaner newspaper reported 335 murders in St James in 2017 and 38 killings nationwide in the first six days of 2018, up from 23 in the same period last year.
Despite the security concerns, the Foreign Office has not issued a blanket warning against travel to Jamaica, meaning holiday firms are not obliged to offer alternative destinations. Sean Tipton of the Association of British Travel Agents emphasised that hotels in Montego Bay maintain strict security, and incidents have generally targeted local residents rather than tourists.
Tourists like Becks Palou, who travelled from Montego Bay to Kingston, reported encountering military checkpoints but felt safe due to increased security presence. Tipton stressed the importance of following official advice and not leaving resorts unless on organised excursions.
