Nelson Mandela Bay deploys tourism safety officers to strengthen visitor security
Nelson Mandela Bay has deployed a new cohort of tourism safety officers across key visitor precincts, including the beachfront, as part of the city's broader Tourism Safety Plan. The officers graduated through the Nelson Mandela Bay Coastal Tourism Policing Initiative - a multi-stakeholder partnership involving the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA), the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), SAPS and Metro Police. Funded through the TBCSA's Tomsa Collaborative Fund and the MBDA, the programme equips officers with training in peace officer functions, visitor assistance, incident response and law enforcement coordination, supported by vehicles, communication equipment and operational systems.
Executive Mayor Cllr Babalwa Lobishe described the graduation as a significant step in positioning Nelson Mandela Bay as a safe and welcoming destination, noting that visitor safety drives business growth and investment. TBCSA CEO Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa echoed this, emphasising that safety is a tourism imperative and not solely a public-sector responsibility. "Through the Tomsa Collaborative Fund, tourism businesses are investing directly in initiatives that make destinations safer and more competitive," he said. The initiative reflects a growing recognition across South Africa's tourism industry that destination safety is central to long-term competitiveness and visitor confidence.
Source: Bizcommunity
