Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has said the government is working with hospitality businesses to step up measures for the peak December travel period
South Africa’s government has introduced a range of measures to improve safety for tourists and other international travelers, particularly during the festive season, according to Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille.
South Africa is richly endowed with world-famous destinations and attractions that continue to draw millions of tourists from across the globe each year. Its diverse landscapes range from pristine beaches and rugged coastlines to vast savannahs and dramatic mountain ranges, offering visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.
Tourism remains a key pillar of the country’s economy, supported by internationally recognised sites, established infrastructure and a reputation as one of Africa’s most varied travel destinations.
Among the most iconic attractions in South Africa are Table Mountain and the Cape Winelands in the Western Cape, the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and the scenic Garden Route stretching along the southern coast. Visitors are also drawn to Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Drakensberg mountains, the Cradle of Humankind, and the beaches of Durban and the Wild Coast. These destinations, along with vibrant cities such as Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, have cemented South Africa’s status as a premier global tourism destination.
However, crime remains one of the most significant deterrents to tourism in South Africa and continues to raise concerns among both prospective visitors and industry stakeholders. Incidents of violent crime, including robberies, carjackings and attacks on tourists, often receive international attention and shape global perceptions of the country’s safety.
While many popular tourist areas have visible policing and private security measures in place, high crime levels in certain parts of the country undermine confidence and pose reputational risks to a sector that relies heavily on foreign visitors.
Speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika on Thursday, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille said efforts had been intensified to ensure the safety of visitors during the peak December travel period. The minister said the government is working in partnership with private sector players in the tourism and hospitality sector.
”The partnership is working. If you check into any hotel or guest house, there will be safety tips. We also provide safety tips from the South African police. Our research has shown that just under 30% of international travellers are concerned about safety.
”If you check on their profiles, they go and check the safety measures that are in place before they press the button to fly the long flight to come to South Africa. That is why we have put the safety information out, as far as we can, to everyone. But the government cannot do it alone. Safety is also the responsibility of all of us,” she said.
South Africans, she noted, are renowned for welcoming tourists with open arms, with the principle of Ubuntu boosting the country’s image as a leading destination.
”We must continue to do that, give visitors the assurance that yes, we regret the attacks of anyone, South Africa to a large extent is safe. We want them to go back and tell their stories about their visit to South Africa. I can only plead with all South Africans, assist us, assist our visitors, assist ourselves amongst ourselves to alert people to any danger signs there might be,” she said.
De Lille added that during the festive season “the crooks are on full alert”.
”The crooks are always one step ahead of us but working together I think that we can certainly make a difference,” she said.
The minister said partnerships had been forged between her department and the Border Management Authority (BMA) to prioritise the safety of visitors as soon as they arrive at international airports or cross through the country’s land borders.
The government has also dispatched tourism monitors who use technology to track the safety of local and international tourists across the country.
”In the last financial year, as government, we spent R174 million, we employed and deployed 2,300 monitors. This year, so far, we have deployed another 1,500 because it also provides income, especially for unemployed young people. We train them with an accredited course, giving them an entry-level 4 certificate, so they are well-trained. On top of that training, they get another two weeks of training by the South African Police Service,” she told the television news channel.