Enjoy a safe World Tourist Day this year in Pretoria

This year, the Tshwane Tourism Association has two goals on International Tourism Day (September 27), aligned with their marketing motto of making Tshwane the “wildest” capital city, as well as the safest capital city in the world.

The association welcomes the decision of the World Tourism Organization to make “Tourism and Peace” the theme of this year’s international day.

For association vice-chairman, Susan Marais, this theme also includes the peace brought about by being in a safe environment.

Three such safe outdoor spots she enjoys visiting in Pretoria include outdoor and other restaurants in Hazelwood.

“These are the most wonderful restaurants with ‘wild’ menus and wonderful ‘wild’ personalities representing the people in our city, several of them being in the outdoors,” says Marais.

Her other big favourite is the Dinokeng Game Reserve, located about 40 minutes from Pretoria but still within the recognised area of the capital city.

“Dinokeng is the wildest place in Pretoria but safe and peaceful for families, couples and friends to explore without any worries. There are wonderful restaurants, spas, accommodation options and of course, the animal kingdom’s Big Five,” says Marais.

The Groenkloof Nature Reserve is another place where she also feels safe and at home.

She is excited about the recent discussions between the association and the Tshwane Metro Police that took place under the leadership of FF-Plus MP and MMC for Community Safety, Grandi Theunissen.

“The whole initiative is based on partnerships and technology. We are so happy to announce that the mayoral committee now wants to work with us to realise this goal. A technology solution for a safer Pretoria is the CASI safety app that Pretorians and tourists can download on their phones. Everyone who downloads it can feel safer in their homes, workplaces and at tourism destinations.”

The association will promote the use of the computer app on September 27, which, incidentally, will take place at Groenkloof Reserve, where more information will be provided.

“We have also arranged for added security from one of the safety app partners at Groenkloof Reserve on Friday and invite all nature lovers to come and celebrate the day with us,” says Marais.

The safety app was launched earlier this year in co-operation with the association which transmits Pretorians’ locations and emergencies to all the nearest safety partners. The app sends it to a 24-hour command centre that can locate the sender quickly and assist the responder by providing all the necessary information.

Armed responders will be notified of emergencies, as well as of the location of the smartphone activating emergency assistance and will follow up the call.

Theunissen says the safety of residents in the Tshwane metro and especially of tourists visiting Pretoria is important to the FF Plus and he will continue co-operating towards making the city one of the safest in the world.

He confirmed that the metro police aim to improve the safety and security of residents, business people and tourists on a daily basis.

He said private security companies also do their bit to ensure the safety of residents.

One of the metro’s plans for improved safety is a central control system from where all of the metro’s emergency services will operate.

Theunissen also welcomed the tourism association’s safety app initiative which is linked to 400 different security companies.

“We look forward to co-operating with the Tshwane Tourism Association in attracting more tourists to Pretoria,”
he says.

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