Trinidad and Tobago Joins Egypt, Pakistan, Colombia, Jamaica, Bangladesh, Guyana, New Caledonia, Macau on US Travel Advisory List to Reconsider Travel — What It Means for the Tourism Sector

Written By: Rana Pratap

Rana Pratap

My formal education culminated with a Master's in English from Dibrugarh University in 2015, but my real-world learning began simultaneously. Over ten years ago, while still a student, I joined Travel and Tour World as an intern, eager to nurture my love for travel in a professional setting. It has been a privilege to grow with this company, maturing from that initial role into a leadership position. As a Senior Writer and Team Leader today, I comfortably blend my passion for travelling with years of industry experience along with mentoring a creative team.

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March 24, 2025 15:23 GMT+5:30

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Trinidad and Tobago has joined countries like Pakistan, Egypt, Colombia, Jamaica, Bangladesh, Guyana, New Caledonia, and Macau on the U.S. Level 3 Travel Advisory list, urging Americans to reconsider travel due to rising security threats. The advisory, prompted by escalating violent crime and a nationwide State of Emergency, places the twin-island nation alongside destinations flagged for terrorism, unrest, and limited consular support. For the tourism sector, this classification comes at a critical time — raising concerns over potential declines in international arrivals, shaken traveler confidence, and broader economic implications during what is typically a high season for regional tourism.

The United States has updated its travel advisory, adding Trinidad and Tobago to the list of countries under the Level 3 designation — Reconsider Travel. This places the twin-island nation alongside destinations like Pakistan, Egypt, Colombia, Jamaica, Bangladesh, Guyana, New Caledonia, and Macau, each flagged due to a combination of security risks, instability, or limited consular support.

For Trinidad and Tobago, the advisory stems from serious risks related to crime, as well as heightened threats of terrorism and kidnapping. This move comes after the Government of Trinidad and Tobago declared a State of Emergency (SOE) on December 30, 2024, in response to escalating criminal activity that could endanger public safety. The SOE was extended into April 2025, granting sweeping powers to law enforcement, including warrantless arrests, searches, and suspended bail for suspected offenders.

While there are no curfews or restrictions on public gatherings, several neighborhoods in Port of Spain have been deemed too dangerous for U.S. government personnel — including Laventille, Sea Lots, Beetham, and parts of downtown after dark. The persistent presence of gang violence, shootings, and kidnappings — some involving foreigners — has made public safety a pressing concern.

How It Compares

With its new Level 3 status, Trinidad and Tobago joins a diverse group of countries flagged by the U.S. for heightened security risks. These include:

• Pakistan, due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict, especially in provinces like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• Egypt, where the risk of terrorist attacks targeting tourist areas, religious sites, and urban centers remains high.
• Colombia, which continues to face threats from criminal and terrorist groups, particularly in certain border regions.
• Jamaica, where violent crime — including armed robbery and sexual assault — is widespread, with limited law enforcement effectiveness in some cases.
• Bangladesh, which has experienced civil unrest and remains vulnerable to terrorism, especially in crowded public areas.
• Guyana, where violent crime, particularly at night, is a consistent concern due to limited police capacity.
• New Caledonia, still recovering from riots and unrest tied to political tensions, with infrastructure and public safety challenges persisting.
• Macau, where the advisory is less about violence and more focused on restricted consular support and concerns over arbitrary enforcement of local laws.

The inclusion of Trinidad and Tobago alongside these destinations — some of which face internal conflict, terrorism, or post-unrest instability — may influence international perception. While conditions differ widely, the shared Level 3 designation places all in the same risk category for U.S. travelers, potentially swaying travel decisions in favor of destinations perceived as more stable or better supported.

Trinidad and Tobago’s addition to the U.S. Level 3 Travel Advisory list places it alongside countries facing serious security risks, raising concerns for its tourism sector as traveler confidence and bookings may decline during the peak season.

What It Means for the Tourism Sector

The advisory may deal a blow to Trinidad and Tobago’s tourism sector, a key contributor to the nation’s economy. Travelers may now reconsider or postpone trips, leading to potential declines in hotel bookings, flight arrivals, and cruise tourism — especially as safety remains a top concern for both individuals and tour operators.

The timing is especially sensitive, as many Caribbean destinations are currently banking on a robust 2025 high season. Being placed in the same advisory tier as countries grappling with terrorism and armed conflict may influence traveler perception, even if the reality on the ground differs in scope.

Industry stakeholders will likely monitor the situation closely, hoping for stabilization ahead of the Easter and summer travel periods. If public safety improves and the SOE is lifted without major incident, a revision of the advisory could follow — but until then, uncertainty hangs over the tourism sector’s near-term outlook.