Crimes against tourists remain a concern

Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta has expressed concern over recent violent attacks on tourists, saying crime has the potential to ruin Namibia's reputation as a preferred tourism destination.

Shifeta said tourism is Namibia's economic safety net and therefore crimes against tourism should be regarded as serious economic crimes.

“No one should be allowed to commit such crime with impunity.”

Shifeta said his goal is to finalise a tourism sector safety and security strategy this year.

According to him the safety of tourists is the primary concern of every host country, because tourists will only visit areas where their lives and property are protected.

“The government, in particular the tourism ministry as custodian of the sector, values our visitors who make Namibia a destination of choice and come from across the world to see and experience our beautiful country and its people,” he says.

Given the tremendous growth of tourism and equally the increase of safety and security concerns globally, every country is trying to gain a competitive advantage in order to attract tourists.

According to Shifeta tourism is a significant sector that generates revenue that is injected into the country's developmental needs and keeps the economy afloat.

“We are cognisant that the success or failure for Namibia to remain a tourism destination of choice depends on being able to provide a safe and secure environment for travellers.”

He therefore welcomed the news that a suspect who committed a crime against a tourist was sentenced to one year's imprisonment in Walvis Bay last week and that three more suspects who robbed tourists of N$24 000 were found guilty on Monday and are awaiting sentencing.

Shifeta said the ministry, together with other role players such as the police, was committed to ensure that no single act of crime against tourists would be condoned.

“Impunity is unacceptable.”

He further thanked the police, in particular the police in the Erongo Region, for their vigilance and hard work and commended them on the positive achievements in the drive to curb crime against tourists.

He also thanked the tourism industry for its continued support in this quest.

“It is difficult to ... achieve a successful conviction in any crime incident without information and assistance from the public. I would therefore also like to sincerely thank the public at large for embracing and making tourism their business.”

Shifeta emphasised that a lot remained to be done, adding that curbing crime against tourists was a matter of priority to the ministry.

He called upon all Namibians to ensure the safety of all visitors to Namibia.

“The Namibian police alone will not succeed without public cooperation and the full support of all of us. Let us all safeguard our economy by reporting every suspicious act towards our tourists to our law-enforcement agencies.”

He also called on the judiciary to use its discretion to impose heavy penalties on all perpetrators to deter others from committing similar crimes against tourists.

Shifeta concluded by saying that Namibians should remain vigilant and rededicate themselves to protecting the country's industry and economy.

“Until reduced to zero, crime and violence against tourists remain a challenge and probably one of the single biggest threats to the tourism industry.”

ELLANIE SMIT