NELSON Mandela Bay Municipality’s newly appointed Ward 2 councillor, Sean Tappan, has made safety a top priority as the region gears up for the December holiday season. With an influx of both global and local tourists expected, particularly along the beachfront, Tappan’s focus on safety is timely and crucial.
Tappan, who has been in office for just over two months, has already begun addressing the safety concerns that have plagued the area. He shared a troubling story of a lecturer who discouraged people from visiting the Bay due to safety issues and emphasised how sharing such things on social media can hurt the economy of the Bay. “Along the vast beach coastal line, there are only 119 metro police officers, of which only 69 are authorised to issue fines, making it difficult to manage the capacity needed for effective law enforcement,” he said.
“Bylaws need to be strictly enforced,” Tappan added, highlighting the need for more feet on the ground to ensure the safety of both residents and tourists. The lack of adequate protection has already had a significant economic impact, with some tours being cancelled, costing a local hotel nearly R500 000.
In response to these challenges, Tappan plans to present his findings and recommendations to the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for safety, Stag Mitchell. This comes at a crucial time as the season of cruise ships approaches, which last year contributed R81.5 million towards tourism revenue in the province.
In 2026, Skål International Nelson Mandela Bay will proudly host the prestigious Skål International World Congress, an event that will bring together key stakeholders in the tourism sector. Jaco Ras, Vice President of Skål International Nelson Mandela Bay, emphasised the importance of a comprehensive Tourism Masterplan to address the challenges within the Metro. This plan will focus on various types of tourism that attract people to the area, which is a significant contributor to the Eastern Cape’s GDP.
However, infrastructure challenges and a lack of global recognition have hindered the region’s ability to fully capitalise on its tourism potential. Fragmented marketing efforts and safety concerns have further complicated matters. Ras stressed the importance of community engagement in making the tourism sector a success, noting that crime in any area is a problem for everyone.
He said the development of human resources is also a key focus, with plans to train people to provide accurate information and quality service to tourists. To support Rice’s vision, Tappen said plans to develop the Boardwalk area and the progress of the Bayworld development, for which a budget has been allocated, are positive steps towards enhancing the region’s appeal.
Ras added that the local business chamber has been instrumental in engaging key decision-makers to address these issues. Job creation and the participation of all key stakeholders are seen as essential components in driving the success of the tourism sector in Nelson Mandela Bay.
As the December holiday season approaches, the emphasis on safety and the collaborative efforts to improve the region’s tourism infrastructure and marketing are expected to make a notable impact.
