U.S. State Department issues travel warnings for popular Caribbean destinations [Video]

ST. LOUIS – The U.S. State Department is warning travelers about the high crime rate in the Bahamas. The agency raised its travel advisory level, urging Americans to use increased caution when visiting the island nation.

“Typically, people see it and reach out quickly. I think in this case, I’ve not seen any change in patterns,” Christina Royer, Sky High Travel in St. Louis, said.

In fact, Royer says her customers are booking trips to several destinations under travel warnings.

“A lot of people are going to Mexico. The Caribbean. Anywhere. St. Lucia. Bahamas. Jamaica. We’ve gone in the last year from a booking window, which is the date of booking to travel of 21 days, we’re pushing that out to months now,” she said. “So, people are planning ahead and booking in advance.”

Royer says the trend is due to better availability and prices combined with greater demand. But …