How could I take my kids to a country where people get murdered? I've dragged them all over the world, but never before have friends expressed such concern as when I told them that this summer's destination was Jamaica.

The statistics are difficult to dispute. Even Lonely Planet Jamaica is cautious, reporting the island's murder rate at over 1,000 a year - one of the highest in the world. But how much do these statistics really tell us? Do they mean that it's dangerous to take the family on an all-inclusive package to Montego Bay?

I don't think so. And not only because an all-inclusive resort has laws all of its own. But because I don't believe a tourist in Jamaica is any more likely to be a victim than anywhere else.

There are pockets of violence, in particular around Kingston. In the ghettos, young men are killing each other in alarming numbers. The death toll in one parish is 153 this year alone.

Inevitably, such slaying plays havoc with the national crime figures. It makes a place look dangerous for everyone, when in fact it's extremely dangerous for a small minority. That may be no comfort to them, and should still disquiet us on their behalf. But it does not necessarily mean that tourist are unsafe.

In Jamaica, we hired our own car (holidayautos.co.uk) and drove up a jungle lane, arriving an hour later at a dead end. We were horribly lost. According to all the bad press the island gets, it should have been terrifying. But a tall young man appeared, introduced himself as Michael, and immediately set about making us piña coladas. He took us on a tour of the banana plantation before showing us the way home.

So, when someone tells me abroad is a dangerous place, I think of Michael. And recommend they go on holiday to Jamaica, to prove them wrong.

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