Can Africa uphold the perception of
being a safe and attractive tourism destination at a time when the news
emanating from the continent is almost always to the contrary, from the
terrorist abduction of 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria to this month’s bombings in Nairobi,
Kenya?
Officials say they believe that the continent can overcome these stains on its reputation. “One event that happened in Africa should not affect people’s perception of Africa,” South African Tourism CEO Thulani Nzima said at the 2014 South African Tourism Indaba Global Face-Off discussion, adding that Africans are working together in addressing this issue. And he says travelers are properly contextualizing the incidents.
“In South Africa, we haven’t seen cancellations because of the terrorist attacks in Nigeria,” he said. “Travelers are beginning to differentiate the countries and experiences in Africa.”Frank Glettenberg, CEO of Private Safaris in South Africa, agrees that tourists to Africa are increasingly aware of the localized nature of the terrorist attacks. He explains that, for example, Private Safaris has seen a drop in demand for the Kenyan Coast, where most of the terrorist attacks in the country have taken place, but not for safaris.
According to Glettenberg, the risk of attacks on the safari circuits or in any of the Kenyan national parks is negligible, and tourists are starting to become aware of this. Rather than canceling their trips to Kenya, travelers are now opting to combine a safari in Kenya with a beach stay in Zanzibar instead of a beach stay on the Kenyan coast.
However, South African economist Mike Schlusser argues the impact of localized events could still have a far-reaching effect on tourism to the entire continent. Schlusser agrees that the terrorist attacks took place away from any of the tourist areas, but he explains that this could still affect the overall perception that tourists across the globe hold of Africa. “And perceptions are the realities when people book,” he said.
Glettenberg adds it is important to remember terrorism isn’t an African problem, but a global problem. He says: “After 9/11, the [subway] bombings in London, the Taj Mahal [hotel] bombing in Mumbai and the Boston Marathon [attack], we have all learned that 100% safety is an illusion. Kenya is currently fighting a war against terror on our behalf on our continent. This deserves our support.
Officials say they believe that the continent can overcome these stains on its reputation. “One event that happened in Africa should not affect people’s perception of Africa,” South African Tourism CEO Thulani Nzima said at the 2014 South African Tourism Indaba Global Face-Off discussion, adding that Africans are working together in addressing this issue. And he says travelers are properly contextualizing the incidents.
“In South Africa, we haven’t seen cancellations because of the terrorist attacks in Nigeria,” he said. “Travelers are beginning to differentiate the countries and experiences in Africa.”Frank Glettenberg, CEO of Private Safaris in South Africa, agrees that tourists to Africa are increasingly aware of the localized nature of the terrorist attacks. He explains that, for example, Private Safaris has seen a drop in demand for the Kenyan Coast, where most of the terrorist attacks in the country have taken place, but not for safaris.
According to Glettenberg, the risk of attacks on the safari circuits or in any of the Kenyan national parks is negligible, and tourists are starting to become aware of this. Rather than canceling their trips to Kenya, travelers are now opting to combine a safari in Kenya with a beach stay in Zanzibar instead of a beach stay on the Kenyan coast.
However, South African economist Mike Schlusser argues the impact of localized events could still have a far-reaching effect on tourism to the entire continent. Schlusser agrees that the terrorist attacks took place away from any of the tourist areas, but he explains that this could still affect the overall perception that tourists across the globe hold of Africa. “And perceptions are the realities when people book,” he said.
Glettenberg adds it is important to remember terrorism isn’t an African problem, but a global problem. He says: “After 9/11, the [subway] bombings in London, the Taj Mahal [hotel] bombing in Mumbai and the Boston Marathon [attack], we have all learned that 100% safety is an illusion. Kenya is currently fighting a war against terror on our behalf on our continent. This deserves our support.
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