Xenophobic Attacks Could Hurt South Africa’s Tourism Industry-Prof. Issahaku Adamsu

Professor of Tourism Management at the University of Cape Coast, Issahaku Adamsu, has warned that recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa could significantly damage the country’s tourism industry and international image.

Speaking on Kessben TV’s Digest, Prof. Adamsu stressed that security remains a critical factor in global travel and tourism, noting that any perception of instability can discourage international visitors.

“Security is a survival component of human movement,” he said, emphasizing that tourists and investors are highly sensitive to reports of violence and hostility.

According to him, the impact of xenophobic violence extends beyond immediate victims and could lead to long-term economic consequences for South Africa’s tourism sector.

He revealed that about 76 percent of tourists who visited South Africa last year were fellow Africans, making the continent a major source market for the country’s tourism revenue.

“When other nations see what is happening, it will affect South Africa’s proceeds in tourism. Many people may cancel their trips to South Africa for international tourism, and that would be unfortunate for them,” he stated.

Prof. Adamsu attributed much of the violence to a lack of education among perpetrators, describing many of those involved in such attacks as uneducated individuals acting out of frustration.

He also challenged the narrative that foreigners are solely responsible for taking jobs from locals, questioning whether South Africans possess the necessary skills for some of the roles occupied by migrants.

“Even if these supposed foreigners have taken their jobs as they claim, the question is whether South Africans have the skills to that effect,” he remarked.

On the issue of safety, the tourism expert criticized the notion that foreigners and tourists should be required to carry passports at all times, arguing that such expectations create fear and reinforce perceptions of insecurity.

“It is not proper for tourists and other national residents to be carrying their passports around because that alone makes the country unsafe,” he added.

He further noted that the attackers often avoid major tourist centers where the presence of foreigners is more visible, suggesting that these acts are targeted and opportunistic.

Prof. Adamsu called for urgent interventions by South African authorities to address the root causes of xenophobia and restore confidence in the country as a safe and welcoming destination for visitors.