The Department of Tourism – in collaboration with the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) – launched its Tourism Monitors Programme yesterday (Monday, November 15) to ensure safety measures and visitor information services are boosted at the OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airports.

More than 120 youth – who successfully graduated in the Department’s Tourism Monitors Programme – will serve as Tourism Monitors at the two Acsa airports for the next three years to patrol, raise tourism awareness, report crime to the South African Police Services (SAPS), and support tourists in distress.

Tourism safety has been identified by a number of independent studies and informal feedback from the tourism industry, as an ongoing challenge which threatens tourism growth, foreign direct investment, visitor spend and employment within the sector.

To support increased and inclusive growth of the sector, tourism safety has been prioritised by government.

“Ensuring the safety of tourists is a priority for the tourism sector. The Tourism Monitors Programme is a key intervention adopted to enhance safety awareness, monitor safety and assist tourists who may have been targeted at key tourism attractions and sites across the country,” said Chief Director of Visitor Services at the Department of Tourism, Lizzy Mathopha.

She explained that this programme – launched in 2017 – was implemented in partnership with SAPS and is a 12-month learnership programme for unemployed youth.

“The rigorous training programme ensures their proficiency as tourist guides and provides critical occupational health and safety skills,” said Mathopa.  

According to her, youth skills programmes, and collaborative initiatives with industry players will pave the way for an empowered and experienced tourism workforce as the sector fully reopens post COVID-19.

General Manager for the OR Tambo International Airport, Jabulani Khambule said he was happy to see the aspirations of struggle stalwart Oliver Tambo fulfilled through the Tourism Monitors Programme.

“Oliver Tambo, for whom this airport is named, fought to see the gains of our democracy benefiting the youth in our country. Today, he would have been so proud to celebrate a collaboration between OR Tambo International Airport and the Department of Tourism that realises an empowered generation, more especially one that safeguards our national key points,” he said.