The Brits are loading up with stab-proof vests, soccer teams are paying billions for private security and the South African government has spent R10 billion to fight crime ahead of the Soccer World Cup. Even Interpol will be involved – controlling terrorism operations.
While many are concerned about the safety of their clients over the 2010 Soccer World Cup, there are ways to help your clients help themselves.
“I think we should all be very concerned about crime during the World Cup. Not just for our clients but for ourselves as well. I am worried our police force will not be able to handle the onslaught and criminals will use the spectacle as a platform to make a quick buck,” said Rachael Penaluna, consultant at Sure Bleeker Travel, Johannesburg.
Liz Budge, manager of XL Oceanair Travel, who is making accommodation arrangements for international guests, said she has refused to book her clients into accommodation establishments that do not have adequate security.
“I check all the guest houses and if I am not happy with the security, I do not book,” she said, adding that while there are some instances where criminal activity is out of the service provider’s control, there is more that could be done to make sure properties are safe.
Andre Snyman, founder of eBlockwatch, said guest houses had been targeted in recent months.
“Bed and breakfasts and guesthouses are often targeted by criminals because they are more often than not located in quiet areas, unlike bigger hotels that are located in built-up areas and have stringent security controls,” he said.
Snyman said passengers were often targeted at the airport and followed to where they were staying.
“We have to understand that criminals are not patriotic and many want to do their little bit for the World Cup, for their own gain,” he explained.
Help your clients protect themselves
While there are countless horror stories and much cynicism about South Africa’s ability to host a safe World Cup, there are a number of tools travellers can use to protect themselves.
One such initiative is eBlockwatch’s Travel Buddy for local and international visitors over the event.
“We have sent a mail to our 66 000 eBlockwatch members around the country and have asked them to volunteer for our Travel Buddy programme. Each tourist will have a panic button on their phone and should they find themselves in trouble, we will be able to mobilise a community of people on street level to help them,” he said.
The Visitors International Protection Association, VIPA911, is another tool international guests can make use of.
Similar to Travel Buddy, the independent organisation is linked to all agencies, associations, services and service providers (government and private) concerned with the welfare and wellbeing of international visitors to South Africa.
Their services include assistance co-ordinators, translators, access to embassies and more.
“We want to have a great Soccer World Cup. There is a lot of goodwill in South Africa and if something does happen to an international visitor, we want to help them in such a way that a negative experience becomes a positive one, so that they want to come back again – by showing a little Ubuntu,” said Snyman.
Snyman’s top tips on how your clients can keep safe:
- Get on to a community network that will be able to assist you should something happen.
- Have a clear idea of where you are going when you initially arrive at the airport. Do not ask a random bystander where the car-rental company is. Try to avoid “looking lost”. You will open yourself to being a target if you do.
- Put everything in the boot – you do not want potential robbers to see all your valuables.
- Make sure that you are staying in safe accommodation.
- As much as possible, avoid travel at night. If you have a puncture and have to sit and wait on the side of the road for assistance, you could become a target.
- Do not take part in shady activities over the Soccer World Cup. You do not want to be arrested for drunken driving, or to mix with the wrong kind of people.
Resources for your clients: www.travelbuddy.co.za, www.vipa911.com
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