Stakeholders agree on tourism safety action plan

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has held engagements with the country’s security cluster, on her efforts to intensify safety in the tourism sector for the local and international tourists visiting different destinations in our shores.

This initiative is part of the department’s National Safety Strategy on reviewing the training curriculum for tourism monitors. Monitors will be recruited and deployed in terms of identified hotspots and other medium to high crime areas.

Minister de Lille addressed stakeholders discussing ways to mitigate the risks of safety faced by travelled and eluded that crime is a matter which affects tourism in many parts of the world and this has been echoed by several tourism ministers which she had engaged with from all over the world in recent weeks. South Africa is no different and across the world, countries are grappling with these issues with instability and wars in some countries.

Minister De Lille also spoke during a meeting with various stakeholders including MECs for Tourism, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the private sector including the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) and the National Prosecuting Authority, with the aim to discuss tourism safety and actions that government in partnership with the private sector will take to enhance tourism safety.

Apart from TBCSA which represents several major tourist associations, stakeholders at today’s Tourism Safety Dialogue included FEDHASA, BARSA, SATOVITO and many other role players in the tourism sector.

“Tourism is not only an economic activity but an essential vehicle that promotes a mutual understanding between a tourist and host community. Tourism is recognised for its immense potential and its significant contribution to the economy.” said Minister De Lille.