The impact of crime on inbound tourism to South Africa

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of various types of crimes on tourist inflows to South Africa using an ARDL bounds test approach. We used monthly data for the period March 2003 to April 2011 and found that crime in the form of car hijackings, sexual crimes, murder and kidnapping have a long run and short run negative impact on tourist visits to South Africa. World income and lagged tourist visits were found to have a positive effect on tourist inflows suggesting that tourism is a luxury good and the experience that visitors have about the country is important. These results call for the government and players in the tourism sector, as well as other crime prevention units in the country, to come up with strategies for dealing with crime. Beefing up security systems and personnel and ensuring police visibility in all places, particularly at these tourist attractions, should be considered. Information should be provided to tourists, warning them about dangerous or crime-prone areas that should be avoided at all costs, as ensuring the safety and comfort of visitors is not only important for encouraging more visitations but also for ensuring sustainable tourism growth, employment creation and poverty alleviation.

Keywords:

• inbound tourism
• violent crimes
• bounds test