The recent meeting between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump has reignited international focus on crime in South Africa – coverage, which SATSA says leaned towards “sensationalism, lacking the nuance needed to understand the real experience of travellers”.
“South Africa isn’t perfect,” says SATSA CEO David Frost. “Like every country, we face challenges. But what we don’t have is a crisis that justifies global panic or distorted narratives. What we do have is millions of tourists arriving safely every year, and leaving with stories that have nothing to do with fear and everything to do with awe.”
While the association acknowledges that crime is a concern, it highlights that incidents involving tourists remain “extremely rare”.
“We don’t pretend crime doesn’t exist,” adds Frost. “But context matters. The suggestion that tourists are at significant risk is dangerous misinformation that serves political agendas rather than public interest.”
Safety measures
SATSA says it works closely with industry stakeholders in proactive visitor safety efforts, including the national Tourism Safety Hotline, enhanced security visibility around tourist hotspots and real-time incident response coordination. In a statement, the association says most popular tourist areas are well-policed, specifically with visitors in mind, and travellers can access emergency assistance 24/7 through dedicated helplines and innovative tools like the Secura Traveller App mobile solution offering location-based support throughout a visitor’s journey.
“Understanding South Africa requires nuance, not cherry-picked sound bites that distort the full picture of a nation still working through its complex history while building towards a shared future,” reads the statement.
“This sector employs hundreds of thousands,” says Frost. “It puts food on tables from Soweto guesthouses right through to safari camps in Limpopo. And, in South Africa, one tourism job typically supports up to seven people — meaning a single traveller’s decision has a ripple effect across entire households.”
Echoing these sentiments, FEDHASA reinforces that the country’s accommodation, restaurant and hospitality sector continues to provide safe and welcoming environments for all visitors.
“Our hospitality industry upholds some of the highest service and security standards globally,” says Rosemary Anderson, National Chairperson of FEDHASA.
Detailing some of the security measures in place, FEDHASA says the vast majority of accommodation providers operate with integrated security systems tailored for guest protection while staff receive ongoing training in incident prevention and emergency response protocols.
“We’ve built professionalism into every layer – from concierge desks knowing how to escalate concerns swiftly right through to housekeeping staff trained in guest wellbeing. Whether it’s sundowners overlooking Table Mountain or breakfast served in the Drakensberg mountains by someone who sees the job as part of rebuilding this country, you’ll find resilience, friendliness and kindness backed by world-class hospitality standards that we are very proud of,” Anderson says.
