The initiative forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Coastal Tourism Policing Initiative, a partnership involving the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA), the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), the South African Police Service, Metro Police and local tourism stakeholders.
Image: Supplied
A new group of Tourism Safety Officers has graduated in Nelson Mandela Bay, marking a significant step in efforts to improve visitor safety and strengthen the metro’s position as a leading tourism destination.
The officers will be deployed across key tourism hotspots, including the city’s beachfront, where they will work alongside law enforcement agencies to improve visibility, deter criminal activity and enhance the overall visitor experience.
The initiative forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Coastal Tourism Policing Initiative, a partnership involving the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA), the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), the South African Police Service, Metro Police and local tourism stakeholders.
It is similar to eThekwini Coastal Tourism Policing initiative aimed at improving tourism safety along Durban’s beachfront and key visitor hotspots, which was launched a month ago on the sidelines of the Africa Travel Indaba 2026.
The latest intake of officers has undergone specialised training covering peace officer functions, visitor assistance, incident response and coordination with law enforcement agencies.
The programme also includes operational support such as patrol vehicles, communication equipment and structured coordination systems.
Funding for the initiative is provided through a partnership between the TBCSA, via the Tourism Marketing South Africa (TOMSA) Collaborative Fund, and the MBDA.
Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe said the graduation of the officers represented an important milestone in improving safety in tourism precincts while also creating opportunities for young people.
“The graduation of these Tourism Safety Officers is a significant step in strengthening safety across our tourism precincts while creating opportunities for young people,” said Lobishe.
She said visitor safety was closely linked to economic growth and investment in the city.
“When visitors feel safe, businesses grow, investment follows and communities benefit. This partnership shows what can be achieved when government, law enforcement and the private sector work together to build a safer and more welcoming Nelson Mandela Bay,” she said.
The new officers are expected to play a visible role in some of the city’s busiest tourism areas, offering assistance to visitors while acting as a deterrent to criminal activity.
Image: Supplied
The deployment comes at a time when South Africa’s tourism industry is focusing on improving visitor confidence and enhancing destination competitiveness. Safety remains one of the most important factors influencing travel decisions, particularly in an increasingly competitive global tourism market.
The new officers are expected to play a visible role in some of the city’s busiest tourism areas, offering assistance to visitors while acting as a deterrent to criminal activity.
Their presence is also intended to support local tourism businesses that rely on a safe and welcoming environment to attract domestic and international travellers.
Tourism Business Council of South Africa CEO, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, said the programme demonstrates the value of direct investment by the tourism industry in safety initiatives.
“Through the TOMSA Collaborative Fund, tourism businesses are investing directly in initiatives that make destinations safer and more competitive. These officers are a tangible example of that investment at work,” said Tshivhengwa.
He stressed that ensuring visitor safety requires collaboration between both public and private sector stakeholders.
“Safety is not only a public-sector responsibility; it is a tourism imperative. This partnership reflects the industry’s commitment to creating environments where visitors can explore with confidence and local tourism businesses can thrive,” he said.
Tourism Business Council of South Africa CEO, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, said the programme demonstrates the value of direct investment by the tourism industry in safety initiatives.
Image: Supplied
Tourism continues to be a major contributor to the economy of Nelson Mandela Bay and South Africa more broadly, supporting employment, entrepreneurship and investment across a range of sectors.
The graduation of the new Tourism Safety Officers forms part of Nelson Mandela Bay’s broader Tourism Safety Plan, which aims to improve safety across tourism hotspots while supporting economic growth and the city’s competitiveness as a destination.
Industry leaders believe that initiatives such as the Coastal Tourism Policing Initiative will help build confidence among visitors, encourage longer stays and support sustainable growth in the tourism sector.
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