The Impact of Crime on Tourism in the City of uMhlathuze, KwaZulu-Natal

Tourism is a human activity that is sensitive and reacts rapidly to crime. The City of uMhlathuze KwaZulu-Natal has recently experienced high levels of crime, which has had an impact on tourism in the area. This study was conducted on the basis that several countries around the world have coined and implemented different mechanisms and strategies to prevent crime from crippling their tourism industry. Main objectives of the paper was to establish the extent to which the local communities are aware of crime related incidents in the study area, to observe the degree to which local communities participate in tourism activities and facilities with a history of crime, and to determine whether local communities are conversant with the benefits of tourism in the context of crime. Research data was collected from the local municipal officials, police officers and local community, comprising of a random sample of 107 respondents. Findings indicate that the majority of respondents are aware of the levels of crime in the area as a result they do not visit facilities with a history of crime. Finally, respondents were not conversant with the benefits of tourism in the context of crime.