Question NW3826 to the Minister of Tourism
27 November 2023 - NW3826
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Tourism
Whether her department has any plans and/or partnership with other departments to ensure the restoration of South Africa as a dream travel and tourist destination in Africa amidst the rising levels of crime and attacks on tourists, especially in Mpumalanga and Gauteng, if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
I have been informed that the Department has a partnership in a form of a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the South African Police Services (SAPS) for collaboration on the prevention, investigation and combating of crimes impacting on the tourism industry and the safety and well-being of tourists.
The MoU entails working on a number of areas including:
- Identification and analysis of tourism hotspots;
- Establishment of a database of crimes committed against tourists; and
- Participation in tourist safety awareness and educational programmes.
The MoU Action Plan is currently being implemented through the Tourism Safety Technical Committee comprising of the Department of Tourism and SAPS. The MoU is currently undergoing revision to extend the MOU beyond December 2024 and to ensure that other initiatives being implemented with the private sector on safety and security are considered and strengthened.
The Minister has also launched the National Safety Forum on 29 May 2023 with, subsequent, quarterly meetings with the stakeholders.
Stakeholders include all three spheres of government, the SAPS, National Prosecuting Authority, Provincial Tourism Authorities, the private sector, Airports Company South Africa and tourism product owners.