By Buchule Putin
East London- Tourism safety in the Eastern Cape has come under serious scrutiny following the tragic shooting of a 55-year-old woman near Mpande, East London.
In recent months, the area has been inundated with reports of violent attacks and kidnappings.
While tourism significantly contributes to the provincial economy by generating revenue and creating jobs, rising crime is threatening its growth and sustainability.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for urgent intervention from the Eastern Cape government, proposing the establishment of a Joint Task Team and the implementation of a Safety and Tourism Recovery Strategy.
DA MPL Dr. Vicky Knoetze emphasized the government’s critical role in protecting tourism hotspots to preserve jobs and sustain tourism along the Wild Coast.
“Tourism operators across the Wild Coast have reported increasing fears among visitors, with some destinations seeing up to a 90% drop in bookings during peak seasons. Communities in this region rely heavily on tourism for income and employment,” she said.
Knoetze added that collaboration among key stakeholders including DEDEAT, ECPTA, SAPS, and local tourism entities is essential to address the crisis effectively.
