SATSA responds to international commentary with facts, not with fear
Johannesburg, May 23, 2025 – Recent headlines sparked by a widely publicized exchange between US President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa rekindled the international focus on South African crime. Unfortunately, much of the reporting leaned against sensationalism, lacking the nuances needed to understand the true experiences of travelers.
The voice of South Africa's inbound tourism, Satsa is moving forward to clarify the facts based on decades of experience welcoming international guests.
“South Africa is not perfect,” says David Frost, CEO of SATSA. “Like all countries, we face challenges. But what we don't have is a crisis that justifies a global panic or distorted narrative.”
“What we have,” he adds. “Millions of tourists arrive safely each year, leaving behind stories that have nothing to do with fear, and it has something to do with adoration.”
Crime is a concern and continues to be addressed by government and civil society, but incidents involving international visitors remain extremely rare.
In the facts:
Visitor satisfaction levels remain high in major source markets. Travel demand from North America remains strong. The US arrivals totaled 372,362 people in 2024, recovering to 100% of the 2019 level. Major tourism destinations continue to operate smoothly thanks to coordinated public-private safety initiatives.
“Crime doesn't pretend not to exist,” he adds. “But the context is important. The suggestion that tourists are at critical risk is dangerous misinformation that serves political challenges rather than public interest.”
SATSA works closely with industry stakeholders on proactive visitor safety efforts, including national tourism safety helplines, increased security visibility around tourism hotspots, and real-time incident response coordination. The most popular tourist areas are specially polyced with visitors in mind, allowing travelers to access emergency assistance 24/7 through dedicated helplines and innovative tools, including the Secura Traveler app, a mobile solution that provides location-based support throughout the visitor's journey.
SATSA plays a key role in driving safety initiatives across the industry and developing comprehensive toolkits, training programs, and traveler support services that ensure that visitors are informed and protected during their stay.
Understanding South Africa requires nuance rather than cherry bites that distort the whole picture of the country that still works through its intricate history, building towards a shared future.
SATSA encourages both international media and international officials to be responsible for engagement when discussing complex issues such as land reform and national crime rates, particularly when it affects perceived industries such as tourism, which are directly linked to livelihoods in South Africa.
“The sector employs hundreds of thousands of people,” Frost said. “We place food on tables from guesthouses in Soweto to safari camps in Limpopo. In South Africa, one tourist job usually supports up to seven people. That is, one traveler's decision will have a ripple effect across the household.”
“If you want an honest answer as to what travel today looks like,” he adds.
SATSA continues to commit to ensuring that accurate information reaches potential visitors and working with all stakeholders to maintain its position as one of the most persuasive destinations in South Africa's world.
