Safety of tourists crucial
Namibia's tourism sector risks losing its reputation because of increasingly violent attacks on tourists.
As Namibia yesterday celebrated World Tourism Day, the deputy environment minister, Tommy Nambahu, pleaded for the safety of tourists in the country.
Since Saturday there have been at least three attacks in which tourists were robbed in Windhoek.
Nambahu said several embassies were warning their citizens to reconsider visiting Namibia.
“Such negative activities are tarnishing the image of the country, negatively impacting the tourism sector and jeopardising the efforts made by the government through the Namibia Tourism Board.”
He said the cost implications of not taking care of tourists would result in job losses and a loss of revenue.
“I plead with you, take care of your visitors, treat them as you will treat your personal guests, in the truest understanding that tourism begins at home.”
According to Nambahu, safety and security are crucial.
“Nothing can bring tourism to a dramatic halt more abruptly than a breach in the sense of security that visitors may feel. It is for this reason that safety and security remain high on the agenda of various authorities in government - to position Namibia as an attractive destination and to retain competitive advantage.”
In the latest attack on tourists, two Germans were robbed at the Christuskirche in Windhoek on Tuesday. Some suspects were arrested and were identified as having been involved in other attacks on tourists.
On Saturday two tourists were robbed by four men armed with knives at John Meinert Street, and on Sunday an unknown number of burglars robbed a 57-year-old French tourist at a guesthouse in Windhoek's Avis residential area.
They cut open the fence around the guesthouse in Schuckmann Street before attacking the security guard and taking his gun.
They robbed the tourist of N$7 000 in cash, a camera, a Visa card, cellphones, watches, a laptop and memory cards.
With crime against tourists on the increase, some foreign embassies such as those of Canada and the UK have adjusted their assessment of the country's risk level in recent months.
ELLANIE SMIT
As Namibia yesterday celebrated World Tourism Day, the deputy environment minister, Tommy Nambahu, pleaded for the safety of tourists in the country.
Since Saturday there have been at least three attacks in which tourists were robbed in Windhoek.
Nambahu said several embassies were warning their citizens to reconsider visiting Namibia.
“Such negative activities are tarnishing the image of the country, negatively impacting the tourism sector and jeopardising the efforts made by the government through the Namibia Tourism Board.”
He said the cost implications of not taking care of tourists would result in job losses and a loss of revenue.
“I plead with you, take care of your visitors, treat them as you will treat your personal guests, in the truest understanding that tourism begins at home.”
According to Nambahu, safety and security are crucial.
“Nothing can bring tourism to a dramatic halt more abruptly than a breach in the sense of security that visitors may feel. It is for this reason that safety and security remain high on the agenda of various authorities in government - to position Namibia as an attractive destination and to retain competitive advantage.”
In the latest attack on tourists, two Germans were robbed at the Christuskirche in Windhoek on Tuesday. Some suspects were arrested and were identified as having been involved in other attacks on tourists.
On Saturday two tourists were robbed by four men armed with knives at John Meinert Street, and on Sunday an unknown number of burglars robbed a 57-year-old French tourist at a guesthouse in Windhoek's Avis residential area.
They cut open the fence around the guesthouse in Schuckmann Street before attacking the security guard and taking his gun.
They robbed the tourist of N$7 000 in cash, a camera, a Visa card, cellphones, watches, a laptop and memory cards.
With crime against tourists on the increase, some foreign embassies such as those of Canada and the UK have adjusted their assessment of the country's risk level in recent months.
ELLANIE SMIT
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