LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — Widely known for its beautiful beaches and warm weather, the Bahamas is a popular vacation destination. However, the Department of State has issued a level two travel advisory due to high crime rates.
"It is not a do-not travel advisory it is a use caution, be aware of your surroundings advisory," said Tiffany Short, Co-Owner of Dragonfly Journeys Travel Company.
Even with the travel ban, the phone is ringing off the hook at Dragon Fly Journeys Travel Company in Scanton, especially with young college students booking their trips for spring break.
"A lot of them have already gotten their trips booked, so, yeah, it's busy; people are not afraid to travel right now," said Melissa Lechleitner, Co-Owner of Dragonfly Journeys Travel Company.
With this ban, some resorts in the Bahamas have regulations for spring break travel, asking adults to travel with college students.
"They literally have resort guides that will tell you that they do not technically book spring break, but they will do family groups," said Tiffany.
Crime activity in the Bahamas is happening in areas where it's not common.
"It happens in tourist areas and nontourist areas; it also happens during the day, at night, so obviously a lot of caution is needed when people travel," said Andreea Maierean, Director of Study Abroad Wilkes University.
Andreea Maierean is the Director of Study Abroad at Wilkes University. She says staff take potential risks very seriously when it comes to travel for students, "We wanna know that it's safe, and there are no additional things to be considered, so definitely our advice for now against traveling to the Bahamas."
Travel agents advise those who travel to the Bahamas to be aware of their surroundings and never wander off.
"Let people know where you are at all times, make sure that the people that you travel with know where you're going and if you can travel in groups," added Tiffany.