Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands Responds to Updated U.S. Travel Advisory

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands has noted the recent update issued by the United States Department of State regarding travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Acting Governor, the Premier, and Minister of Tourism convened a meeting with the Commissioner of Police and key personnel in the National Security Secretariat, the Police, and Ministry of Tourism on Sunday, July 12, 2026, to assess the updated advisory and to develop a coordinated whole-of-government strategic response.

Led through the national security architecture, the meeting brought together senior officials responsible for national security, tourism, foreign engagement and government communications to ensure a unified response focused on public safety, international engagement and protecting the reputation of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The advisory continues to maintain the Turks and Caicos Islands at Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution, with no change to the overall travel advisory level.

The Government respects the right of all international partners to provide travel information to their citizens and remains committed to working collaboratively with regional and international law enforcement and security partners to ensure the continued safety and security of all who live in and visit our islands.

Acting Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams said:

"The Governor's Office is working with the British Embassy in Washington to ensure that the internal security situation in the Turks and Caicos Islands is accurately represented in U.S. travel advisories and to provide assurance that the safety of residents and visitors remains of the highest importance."

Premier Hon. Charles Washington Misick, OBE, JP said:

"The safety and security of our residents and visitors remains one of this Government's highest priorities. We take all matters relating to public safety seriously and continue to invest significantly in strengthening law enforcement, border security, intelligence-led policing and crime prevention initiatives across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

While no country is immune from crime, the latest policing statistics demonstrate encouraging progress. Serious crime has declined significantly compared with the same period last year. Murders are down 40%, while reported serious sexual offences have decreased by 33% year-on-year. These improvements reflect the dedication of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and our national security partners as they continue to strengthen public safety across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

We will continue to build on these gains while remaining vigilant and focused on ensuring our islands remain among the safest destinations in the Caribbean."

Minister of Tourism Hon. Zhavargo Jolly added:

"The Turks and Caicos Islands continues to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors each year who enjoy safe, memorable and world-class vacation experiences. In our first quarter, the destination welcomed 203,587 stayover visitors, an increase of 10,557 arrivals over the first quarter of 2025 with March delivering close to 80,000 visitors. We work closely with our tourism stakeholders, law enforcement agencies and international partners to continually enhance visitor safety and destination resilience. We encourage all visitors, as they would anywhere in the world, to exercise sensible precautions, remain aware of their surroundings and familiarize themselves with local laws and regulations before travelling."

The Government will continue to monitor developments, strengthen public safety initiatives and maintain open engagement with international partners, including the United States, to ensure that information provided to prospective visitors accurately reflects conditions within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Turks and Caicos Islands remains one of the world's premier luxury tourism destinations, recognised for its exceptional hospitality, outstanding natural beauty and unwavering commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for residents and visitors alike.