NCJ Number
199353
Journal
Crime Prevention and Community Safety: An International Journal Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: 2003 Pages: 13-25
Date Published
2003
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the perception of safety and security by tourists in Cape Town, South Africa.
Abstract
South Africa has developed a reputation for being an unsafe place to visit because of high levels of violent crime. This study sought to find out whether visitors to Cape Town felt unsafe; whether they chose to limit their activities because they were afraid of crime; and whether specific personal factors of the respondents, such as demographic characteristics, were related to their perceptions of crime and safety in Cape Town. A survey of a sample of 438 visitors to Cape Town was conducted from mid-August to mid-September 2001. The survey instrument was a self-administered, two-part questionnaire, consisting of general questions concerning tourists’ characteristics, purchasing habits, and perceptions of safety. Results show that over three-quarters of visitors were visiting Cape Town for the first time; the remainder had been to the city at least once before. Seventy-three percent of respondents were on holiday and 10 percent were on business. The majority of visitors were ‘very likely’ to recommend Cape Town to their friends as a place to visit. Over 71 percent were either ‘very likely’ or ‘likely’ to recommend Cape Town as a safe destination. Almost 20 percent were unsure whether they would recommend Cape Town as a safe place to visit. More than 50 percent claimed that they would be ‘very likely’ to return to Cape Town. Some 220 of the respondents felt ‘safe’ touring Cape Town during the daytime. But 108 of the respondents felt ‘unsafe’ and 48 felt ‘very unsafe’ walking in the city after dark. Some 58 respondents felt ‘unsafe’ and 24 ‘very unsafe’ using public transportation in the city. Those respondents that were on holiday felt less safe than those that were visiting Cape Town on business. Over a quarter of those under the age of 35 encountered a dangerous incident or felt that their lives were in danger while visiting Cape Town. Tourists’ nationality, whether they had encountered any danger, and, to a lesser extent, their duration of stay influenced respondents’ perceptions of crime in Cape Town. 3 tables, 1 note, 35 references