ZATI presents security and legal recommendations aimed at ensuring the safety of tourists - as well as Zanzibar citizens. Today, ZATI (Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors) met with ZIPA (Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority) to discuss a raft of security and legal recommendations aimed at ensuring the safety of tourists – as well as Zanzibar’s citizens. This was the first of a series of high profile meetings aimed at ensuring that the backbone of the Zanzibar economy, tourism, is well protected because the success or failure of any tourism destination depends on being able to provide a safe and secure environment for visitors. ZATI Chairman, Abdulsamad Ahmed Said, explained that: “Our main concern is that of security of the islands, its people and its visitors. A society cannot progress without law and order, this is true, but our concerns are aimed more at how crime might influence the perceptions of the destination itself. If the islands have a reputation for diminished visitor safety, it could seriously affect the number of tourists that visit Zanzibar, and, as the Government have recently recognised, tourism is now the island’s number one industry and needs to be protected.” If it is not, then we could face the same situation as Kenya currently suffers, with tourists staying away because of security fears. Kenya lost an estimated $280m in tourism receipts after the Westgate Attacks but fortunately has a very broad economic base. A drop in tourism would be a disaster for Zanzibar and its economy.” ZATI will also be discussing the recommendations with key stakeholders including the Ministry of Tourism, Home Affairs, Police, Attorney General’s Chamber, Ministry of Justice, among many others, to ensure that it engages with key decision makers and influencers. The discussions follow research undertaken by ZATI, with the support of funders BEST-AC, and analyse different laws that affect or regulate tourism and special efforts that have been introduced to combat crime,such as the instigation of special “tourism police” units. Research revealed that criminal procedures, investigations and prosecutions are complicated and cases take longer to be decided than appropriate for visitors. This becomes more inconvenient when cases involve tourists whoonly have a few days holiday left. ZATI proposals include reforming a series of policies and laws to safeguard the security and safety of tourists visiting Zanzibar including: • Changing the legislation as it pertains to crimes against tourists. Laws need to be changed or strengthened to address the problem; for example, reclassifying crimes as acts of terrorism, or racially-motivated crimes for stronger deterrent sentencing. • Re-establishing the specially-trained tourist police unit providing security and assistance to tourists and residents alike. • Establishing Tourist Hotline for reporting of crimes against tourists. • Introduction of ’24 Hours Court’ so that cases regarding acts of theft, rape and robbery against tourists can be dealt with in a short time frame. • Capacity-building for law enforcement and security officials on issues relating to crime against tourists, using specialist trainers from overseas. • Presence of multi-lingual, dedicated Tourist Relations police officer in all major police stations. • Specialized investigation units for tourists’ cases. • Preventive and directed patrols. • Enhance greater collaboration between tourism stakeholders and law enforcement agencies. • Need for mandatory legislated security measures at tourist establishments and places that cater for tourists. • Address the issues of youth’s marginalization, and drug use. • Coordinating efforts among tourism stakeholders to prevent and investigate tourist from engaging in any criminal activities. • Prioritize police investigations and prosecution for tourism-related crimes. • Educating the public about the importance of the tourism industry. ZIPA Executive Director,Salum Nassor, told ZATI to “Rest assured of our support – we are together. We need to work together to take this initiative forward.” ZATI hopes that these recommendations will be considered by the Government of Zanzibar in the hope that through Public Private Partnership, we will create a safer tourism environment,and strengthen the benefit of private and public sector alike, so that together we might build a stronger business environment and achieve tourism for all.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 12:08:13 +0000
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