Minister de Lille welcomes launch of SECURA Traveller app to enhance visitors’ experience
On August 31, Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, joined private-sector tourism representatives to launch the Secura Traveller app and Operations Centre in Johannesburg.
Speaking at the launch, Minister de Liller said: "The launch of the Secura Traveller app today is a clear indication of just how much positive change can come from partnerships between the public and private sector. I look forward to continue collaborations with the private sector as we work towards exceeding our 2019 arrival figures by March 2024.
I wish to thank the private sector for this investment and all their hard work to launch the app and the Operations Centre."
The app integrates a range of affordable services including emergency medical responses, breakdowns and crime-related incident assistance.
The Secura App connects travellers and tourism stakeholders to hundreds of service providers when every second counts. The service providers are ready and equipped to assist in any situation.
In addition to the Secura app, a hotline number has been set up that can further assist in speeding up response times. The hotline number is +27 (0) 83 318 2475.
A Tourism Operations Centre has been established to guide and manage the SECURA Traveller technology to support the Tourism Monitors.
The minister added that while it is the mandate of the South African Police Service to ensure the safety of all South Africans and visitors, we all have a role to play in ensuring the best possible visitor experience when visiting South Africa
"Since March, we have convened two National Safety Forum meetings with stakeholders from all three spheres of government, the private sector, various tourism bodies, the Airports Company of South Africa, the South African Police Services and the National Prosecuting Authority," said Minister de Lille.
"At our first meeting on 29 May 2023, we announced that the Secura app would be launched and discussed the role this technology plays in mitigating negative visitor experiences – because it is incidents like crime that deter would-be travellers from pressing the button to visit South Africa.
Crime affects all of us and unfortunately, it deflects from the beauty, love and warmth we as a nation have to offer."
Read the Minister's full speech here.
