Barbados pushes back against UK travel advisory citing terrorism risk

The Barbados government has taken issue with a new travel advisory issued by the United Kingdom, which warns British travellers of potential terrorist attacks on the island.

- Advertisement -

For the first nine months of the year, Barbados recorded 160,749 stayover visitors from the UK, a slight decline compared with the same period last year. While the United States has now overtaken the UK as the island’s largest source market, British visitors continue to account for a significant share of overall tourism arrivals.

In the advisory, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) cautioned that “although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Barbados, attacks cannot be ruled out.”

“There is a high threat of terrorist attacks globally, affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times,” the FCDO said in guidance posted on the UK government’s official website. The advisory also directed travellers to information from UK Counter Terrorism Policing on staying safe abroad and responding to a terrorist incident.

Barbados’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Kerrie Symmonds said while the government does not dismiss the existence of global security threats, there is no justification for linking terrorism to Barbados.

“I don’t see any basis for even mentioning the issue of terrorism with respect to Barbados because it is obviously a nonexistent threat and highly improbable,” Symmonds told Barbados TODAY.

He suggested that concerns raised by the UK may be rooted in broader global tensions.

“But I imagine that as with many countries in the North Atlantic, where, in recent times, right-wing public policy has alienated and offended both migrant populations and the dignity and self-respect of citizens of developing countries, there will be a concern about the potential backlash which such hateful and divisive policy making can cause,” Symmonds said. “Perhaps that is the reason why the issue has been raised. But, as the report itself concedes, there is no recent history of such incidents in this country.”

Beyond terrorism, the FCDO advisory also warned British nationals about violent crime in Barbados, including armed robbery, sexual assault, gang-related shootings and carjackings. It noted an increase in gun-related gang murders, some occurring in populated and public areas, and urged travellers to take “sensible precautions” to protect their personal safety.

- Advertisement -

The guidance advises visitors to ensure accommodations are secure, avoid walking alone on quiet roads or beaches after dark, exercise caution when using ATMs, and use only licensed taxis. Travellers were also urged to be particularly careful at large gatherings, including street and beach parties, especially during festival periods, and to avoid carrying large sums of cash or wearing expensive jewellery.

The FCDO further cautioned LGBT+ travellers that attitudes across the Caribbean remain largely conservative, noting that public displays of affection by opposite- or same-sex couples may attract unwanted or negative attention.

Symmonds said the Barbados government recognises that UK travel advisories are typically issued annually and are intended to protect British citizens abroad. He pointed out that previous advisories in 2023 and 2024 focused on crowded places and what were then described as petty crimes in tourist areas.

“What we are now seeing is an increased focus on the nature of crime, with the British government emphasising the need for visitors to be cautious about isolated areas, and urging their citizens to use registered taxis, and to be generally sensitive to their personal security, as instances of gun-related crimes and other serious offences have increased,” Symmonds said. “In that regard, the report was faithful to the facts.”