Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says Jamaica is now considered a safe destination due to its crackdown on crime.
Speaking Wednesday at the contract signing for segment two of the Kingston Harbour Walk project, Dr. Holness says Jamaica is primed to receive more international sporting events and conferences due to the success in crime and violence reduction.
“One of the reasons why Jamaica is getting so much attention is that Jamaica is now being viewed as a safe near-shore destination. The reduction in murders has a significant impact on how travel advisories are crafted, and when international entities are planning their itineraries and where to host their meetings, they do take into consideration what the travel advisories say because the travel advisories inform the insurance requirements for mass movement of people for meetings, seminars and conferences.”
“So there is a dividend for the entire Jamaica when crime and violence is low. It has not escaped the world, though it appears that it escapes several Jamaicans by the way they talk, that our murder rate was 50 per 100,000. Today our murder rate, based upon 2025 figures, would be 25 per 100,000 – cut in half,” the Prime Minister pointed out.
The 2026 Global Peace Index ranked Jamaica as the most peaceful country in the Caribbean and third overall in North and Central America.
It sits 70th globally out of 163 countries.
It’s really sad to hear about the loss of those brothers. I wonder how their family is coping through such a difficult time.
It’s a heart-breaking situation, let us continue to pray for the family, it can’t be easy.