Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has called on communities across South Africa to work hand in hand with government and the private sector to protect the country’s reputation as a safe, welcoming and globally competitive tourism destination.
The Minister appealed last week during the National Tourism Safety Forum held in Johannesburg, which she convened to strengthen coordination and improve safety measures within the tourism sector nationwide.
De Lille stressed that safety remains a cornerstone of sustainable tourism growth, noting that effective collaboration is critical to protecting both visitors and the livelihoods that depend on the industry. “Safety is the foundation of tourism growth, and how well we collaborate determines our ability to safeguard tourists and tourism-related jobs,” she said.
During the forum, De Lille announced that Deputy Minister of Tourism Maggie Sotyu has been officially delegated to chair the National Tourism Safety Forum. She highlighted Sotyu’s extensive experience in public safety, including her previous role as Deputy Minister of Police, as a key asset in advancing the forum’s objectives.
“With her strong background in crime prevention and public safety, Deputy Minister Sotyu is well placed to lead coordination across government, industry and security structures. I am confident that under her leadership we will strengthen response systems and adopt a more unified and resilient approach to tourism safety,” De Lille said.
Addressing the meeting virtually, Sotyu expressed her commitment to working with stakeholders to reposition South Africa as a leading global destination. She said she looked forward to collaborating with “a passionate, professional and dedicated group of stakeholders to rewrite the tourism safety fortunes of our country.”
The gathering marked the first sitting of the National Tourism Safety Forum under the 7th Administration and brought together provincial MECs, Provincial Tourism Authorities, South African Tourism, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), the South African Township and Village Tourism Association (SATOVITO), as well as other national and provincial partners.
The forum also received detailed readiness reports from all provinces as South Africa prepares for the upcoming festive season, a critical period for the tourism industry.
Notably, South Africa has faced ongoing challenges with crime affecting both visitors and residents, underscoring the importance of coordinated safety efforts. In recent years, there have been multiple reports of tourists being victims of violent robbery and assault in popular destinations such as Cape Town and Durban, including armed attacks on visitors staying at guest houses and attempted street robberies in well-known districts.
There have also been incidents where tour buses carrying foreign travellers were targeted by armed robbers, prompting industry and police responses to assist affected guests and enhance protective measures. These events have contributed to travel advisories from some foreign governments and reinforced calls for stronger security cooperation to protect travellers and safeguard the country’s tourism reputation.
