US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya will travel to Kingston, Jamaica, and Belmopan, Belize from February 19-23, 2024, to advance bilateral and regional cooperation on civilian security, migration, and human rights.

Tourism may not be on top of her mind when visiting Jamaica, but it may be on top of the agenda for Jamaica Tourism Stakeholders, concerned about the current US travel advisory hurting this essential income for one of the most successful destinations in the global travel and tourism world.

US Travel Advisory: Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Takes Action

This visit is scheduled just after UN Tourism is celebrating UN Tourism Resilience Day in Jamaica on February 17.

UN Tourism Secretary General, Zurab Pololikashvili, is currently in Jamaica for this event and said Jamaica must be commended for leading the initiative on the creation of a Global Tourism Resilience Day.

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The US is not a member of UN Tourism, but the timing could not just be a coincident.

In Kingston, U.S. Under-Secretary Zeya will underscore the strength of the U.S.-Jamaica partnership and meet with senior government officials to enhance the US cooperation in civilian security and law enforcement, human rights, and the rule of law.

The United States has been criticized for not specifically separating travel alerts for those Americans who visit Jamaica as tourists. According to the Jamaica Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett Less than 0.01% of crimes in Jamaica are connected to tourists.

The US Undersecretary will meet with close partners to engage in the Haiti Multinational Security Support mission.

Additionally, the Under Secretary will commemorate the opening of a Child-Friendly Space developed through the U.S.-Jamaica Child Protection Compact Partnership, which provides safety and support to children who are victims or witnesses of crime.

She will explore with educators and youth opportunities to strengthen the capacity of families and communities to prevent youth violence.

In Belmopan, Under Secretary Zeya will engage senior government officials, civil society, and human rights advocates on bilateral and regional security, as well as our efforts to strengthen safe, orderly, and humane migration management, address human trafficking, counter discrimination, and protect fundamental freedoms of vulnerable groups.