Cape Town – In a move aimed at enhancing the safety and security of tourists, the Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, has welcomed the deployment of 40 tourism monitors at the iconic Table Mountain National Park.
This initiative is part of the broader Tourism Monitors Programme, spearheaded by the Department of Tourism, which seeks to supplement safety measures implemented by the South African Police Service.
“The department has set aside R174.5 million from this year’s budget to deploy around 2 300 tourism monitors at key tourist attractions,” said the department.
The @Tourism_gov_za has invested R174.5million to deploy around 2 300 Tourism Monitors at key tourist attractions around the country to enhance tourist safety measures. 40 monitors were deployed to Table Mountain National Park in the Western Cape today. #WeDoTourism pic.twitter.com/EVje5xlx6G
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) December 22, 2023
These monitors will play a crucial role in bolstering the safety infrastructure for both local and international visitors.
The distribution of the monitors is strategically planned, with allocations as follows:
- Eastern Cape: 150
- Free State: 150
- Western Cape: 250
- Gauteng: 100
- Limpopo: 100
- KwaZulu-Natal: 200
- Mpumalanga: 220
- North West: 100
- Northern Cape: 70
- iSimangaliso Wetland Park: 200
- Ezemvelo Nature Reserve: 150
- SANBI Gardens: 130
- ACSA Airports: 135
- SANParks: 350
Out of the 350 monitors designated for SANParks, 70 have been specifically allocated to Table Mountain National Park. Forty of these monitors have already been deployed as of last week, with the remaining 30 scheduled for deployment in the upcoming New Year.
The department emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety of tourists visiting national parks, which are integral to South Africa’s tourism industry.
“Our national parks are key tourism attractions and remain top of our list for key source markets. The safety of all tourists remains paramount, and we are determined to do all we can to ensure that all tourists have a safe and memorable experience.”
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Source: AFP
Picture: X/@PatriciaDeLille
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