Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) and eThekwini Municipality launched the eThekwini Coastal Tourism Policing initiative on the sidelines of Africa Travel Indaba 2026in Durban on Tuesday.
Image: Yogashen Pillay
The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) and eThekwini Municipality have launched the eThekwini Coastal Tourism Policing initiative aimed at improving tourism safety along Durban’s beachfront and key visitor hotspots.
The initiative, unveiled on the sidelines of the Africa Travel Indaba 2026 in Durban on Tuesday, included the handover of vehicles and quad bikes through a partnership involving the TOMSA Collaborative Fund.
Speaking at the launch in Durban, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba thanked the TBCSA for its contribution, saying the support would strengthen safety measures along the city’s coastline and improve the visitor experience.
Xaba said tourism remains one of the key economic drivers of the city.
“As we work to sustain and grow this momentum, it is important that we do more than simply market Durban as a preferred tourism destination. We must also ensure that visitors and residents alike feel safe and protected while enjoying our public spaces and attractions,” he said.
“Safety and security are fundamental to building confidence in our city and to ensuring that every visitor leaves Durban with positive and memorable experiences.”
Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) and eThekwini Municipality launched the eThekwini Coastal Tourism Policing initiative on the sidelines of Africa Travel Indaba 2026in Durban on Tuesday.
Image: Yogashen Pillay
Xaba added that the newly donated vehicles and uniforms would strengthen the capacity of Metro Police officers and safety patrollers operating along the beachfront.
“This is the first initiative of its kind in the country. We are pleased that it is already achieving desired results. This unit has linkages with immigration officers from all ports of entry in the city and the National Prosecuting Authority to speed up cases related to tourists,” he said.
“The vehicles and uniforms we are receiving today will serve as important tools of trade and will act as a force multiplier for our law enforcement agencies, particularly the Metro Police and safety patrollers working tirelessly to maintain order and safety along our beachfront.”
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Maggie Sotyu, said tourism safety was central to the growth and competitiveness of the sector.
“It is central to the growth, sustainability, and competitiveness of our tourism sector. As a destination feels safe then the destination can grow. A protected destination can attract investment, create jobs, and welcome the world with confidence,” she said.
Sotyu welcomed the collaboration between government, law enforcement agencies, tourism stakeholders and the private sector through the Attractivity Safety Project, saying the initiative demonstrated what could be achieved through partnerships.
Sotyu also praised the TBCSA for its leadership through the TOMSA Collaborative Fund, saying the initiative would help establish a more coordinated tourism and coastal safety unit with enhanced policing and rapid-response capabilities.
TBCSA CEO Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa said concerns around safety and security, particularly along Durban’s beachfront, had emerged during discussions on revitalising the city’s tourism appeal.
“Our response as the private sector is to ensure that the beachfront is safe and those that do tourism in front of the beach are able to confidently send tourists to the beach and say go to Durban and enjoy the warm waters. This is the beginning of more things to come to bring back tourists to Durban,” Tshivhengwa said.
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