Keep our tourists safe - tourism body

2000-10-25 19:08

Pretoria - Both the police and the private sector should put more effort into fighting crime against tourists, Paul O'Sullivan, a director of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, said on Wednesday.

Even though tourists were only the victims in an estimated one percent or less of crimes in the country, the impact of such crimes on jobs and the economy was far larger, he said at the trade and industry congress of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut in Pretoria.

"If someone from Poland, Germany or the United States is murdered, robbed or raped here, it is not only in the local, but also the national media. It is damaging for the country and the economy."

O'Sullivan said he was trying to convince the police to set up special tourist protection units, dubbed Tourist Orientated Police or Top Cops.

The SA Police Service could not treat crime against tourists in the same way they did crime in general. For instance, more attention to detail was needed when investigating crime against tourists, he said.

When a South African citizen fell victim to crime, he or she would probably be available three months later to testify against the accused, whereas few visitors from overseas would be prepared to foot the bill to come back to give evidence.

O'Sullivan said he had spoken to South African Airways and other airlines with a view of persuading them to fly back, free of charge, clients of theirs who had been victims of crime in South Africa, to testify, should the prosecutor reckon there was a good chance of success with the case.

Hotels whose guests were crime victims could also offer to host them again, for free, to come and testify.

"The industry must work together so that on their return trip we give them a good experience."

Figures on crime against tourism were not available. He had asked the police to change their computer programmes to provide for that, he said.

Tourists were seldom targeted for being tourists, O'Sullivan said. "They are at the wrong place at the wrong time."

Besides dressing and talking differently, tourists were also often off their guard because they were on holiday, he said.

O'Sullivan called on the industry to do more to protect their visitors by, for instance, ensuring that the safety measures at guest houses or backpackers' lodges were sufficient.

Western Cape Tourism Board chief executive officer Dr Mike Fabricius said South Africans should refrain from sending negative messages about the country to the outside world. That did not mean that the internal debate about issues should stop.

"But when we go outside, we must be positive."

The South African tourism industry had to show an annual growth rate of at least 10 percent to be really successful, he said.

Last year's growth rate was only three percent, compared to an average of 15 percent per year between 1995 and 1997/8.

After the transition to democracy in 1994, there was a hoarded demand for South Africa. Factors like the "rainbow nation", "Madiba magic" and the country's sports achievements made it the flavour of the month, Fabricius said.

"The demand is beginning to normalise. We are just a player now, and not an exceptional player."

The world market was huge, and tourism offered enormous growth potential. But the market was very competitive, he said.

A rejuvenation of the South African brand abroad was now required.

That could be done through more targeted marketing, increased price competitiveness, e-commerce, ensuring a more representative tourism industry and environmental sustainability.

Fabricius said more money than ever was now available for tourism marketing. This year's budget was R250 million, R100 million more than last year.

Other favourable factors included a very active tourism ministry, strong partnerships between the public and private sector and new markets opening up, for example in India, South America and the Middle East.

New niche markets had to be developed, for instance for golf, hiking and eco-tourists, conferences and backpackers.

A marketing campaign recently undertaken by Satour had indicated that a call for action was necessary. People who were interested, should immediately be drawn to make bookings, Fabricius said.

The feedback from tourists was very positive, some regarding the country as the world's best-kept secret. "People are blown away by South Africa."

Fabricius referred to the American television presenter Larry King, who had enormous praise for Cape Town after visiting the city.

"If Larry King can say that, so can each of us." - Sapa

- SAPA