Collaborative efforts needed to ensure tourist safety
Wild Waters Group managing director Simone Micheletti says stakeholders should proactively collaborate to ensure Namibia remains a safe tourist destination.
Micheletti said this to The Namibian yesterday in reaction to the United States state department issuing a level two travel advisory status for Namibia due to the high crime rate and health risk.
The advisory issued last December highlighted that violent crimes such as home invasions, break-ins, muggings, and ‘smash-and-grabs’ from vehicles stopped at intersections, parked near common tourist areas, or located in shopping mall parking lots may occur.
Furthermore, crimes of opportunity, primarily the theft of money, cell phones and personal property, are common as well.
The advisory further highlighted that emergency services are not readily available for visitors who travel to remote areas, as health facilities are limited in these areas or may not be fully equipped.
Micheletti said although the high crime rates do not deter tourists from visiting Namibia, stakeholders such as the government, tourism operators, community, and security agencies must ensure they put in mechanisms to combat these crimes.
He said in the Zambezi region, for example, tourist operators saw a sharp rise in crime targeting tourism establishments after the Covid-19 pandemic, which caught them off guard.
“Most of us had never needed high security measures at the lodges before then. The negative effect of these incidents significantly impacted tourists’ perception of the region’s safety,” he said.
He suggested that a crucial step would be the deployment of a specialised tourist police force in all tourist areas and along transit routes.
“The visible and dedicated police presence will deter crime and assist visitors. Furthermore, widespread awareness campaigns should be introduced across society, highlighting the significant value that tourism generates for the national economy. This will foster a greater appreciation for tourists and encourage community participation in their safety. Community policing initiatives and active citizen participation should be encouraged, building a robust network of vigilance and support,” he said.
He advised travellers to take general precaution measures when visiting Namibia, as is done almost everywhere in the world.
The lack of security at popular tourist attractions in and around Windhoek has also been highlighted as a concern by youth leader Matheus Hangula,who was almost robbed at the Independence Memorial Mesuem.
He told The Namibian yesterday said the several times he visited the Memorial Museum, which attracts tourists from all over the world, he has noticed that there is no security personnel of any kind.
“I was almost robbed on three separate occasions by men that were pretending to take me to the elevator or go in it with me. However, I caught on to their plans and didn’t enter the elevator with them. Imagine how many tourists are being robbed on a daily basis at that museum. They really need to deploy permanent security guards or police that will deter these criminals from attempting to rob visitors at the museum,” he said. Statistics released by the Hospitality Association of Namibia in January indicate that the country’s tourism sector has grown, as it recorded an overall national room occupancy of 54.48% capacity in 2024, nearly 3% higher than in 2023.
The post Collaborative efforts needed to ensure tourist safety appeared first on The Namibian.