Tourists' road safety a concern
The tourism sector is worried about the high death toll among foreign visitors on Namibian roads.
With at least eight tourists having been killed on Namibia's roads in separate accidents during the last three weeks, the safety of the country's roads has been put under the spotlight again.
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism yesterday expressed concern about the increasing number of accidents in which international tourists had been killed recently and urged visitors to be cautious when driving.
Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the ministry was saddened about continually losing tourists to car accidents.
“We urge tourists to remain cautious on our roads and observe the traffic regulations of the country.”
He said tourists should familiarise themselves with the laws and regulations of the destination country, especially when they are on self-drive tours.
He added that should tourists observe any reckless driving they should report it to the authorities immediately.
Muyunda also called upon tour operators to take extra care of tourists and to keep them safe.
“We want our tourists to return to their countries and tell friends and family about the Namibian experience.”
According to him, Namibia has one of the best road networks in Africa, but good driving is still necessary.
The latest crash victims were two Italian tourists killed in an accident near Sesriem on Monday morning.
Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi said four Italian tourists were involved in the crash. Two men were killed and two women were seriously injured and flown to Windhoek.
The accident allegedly occurred when the Sense of Africa overlander they were travelling in overturned.
It is alleged that the driver, Gioli Moreno, 39, an Italian national and allegedly a translator for the group, does not have a public driver's permit. He escaped without serious injuries.
In another accident reported this month a Spanish tourist was killed on the Tsumkwe gravel road while 29 other tourists from several countries were injured.
An Israeli photographer was killed and his wife injured in a car accident in the north. They were travelling with two other Israeli nationals on a photography trip.
In another accident an Italian tourist was killed and three other Italians injured on the Helmeringhausen road.
Three French tourists were killed in a head on collision about 20km from the Mata-Mata border post on 22 July.
At the end of last year Namibia was slammed in a global report rating countries in terms of the risks they hold for travellers.
The Travel Risk Map for 2017 ranked the most dangerous countries in the world on various aspects, including travel security and road safety. It is designed to alert travellers and tourists to the level of risk they face when visiting destinations worldwide.
Namibia was rated high in terms of road safety risks to travellers, meaning that the country's roads pose a real and tangible danger and caution should be exercised when using the roads.
ELLANIE SMIT
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism yesterday expressed concern about the increasing number of accidents in which international tourists had been killed recently and urged visitors to be cautious when driving.
Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the ministry was saddened about continually losing tourists to car accidents.
“We urge tourists to remain cautious on our roads and observe the traffic regulations of the country.”
He said tourists should familiarise themselves with the laws and regulations of the destination country, especially when they are on self-drive tours.
He added that should tourists observe any reckless driving they should report it to the authorities immediately.
Muyunda also called upon tour operators to take extra care of tourists and to keep them safe.
“We want our tourists to return to their countries and tell friends and family about the Namibian experience.”
According to him, Namibia has one of the best road networks in Africa, but good driving is still necessary.
The latest crash victims were two Italian tourists killed in an accident near Sesriem on Monday morning.
Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi said four Italian tourists were involved in the crash. Two men were killed and two women were seriously injured and flown to Windhoek.
The accident allegedly occurred when the Sense of Africa overlander they were travelling in overturned.
It is alleged that the driver, Gioli Moreno, 39, an Italian national and allegedly a translator for the group, does not have a public driver's permit. He escaped without serious injuries.
In another accident reported this month a Spanish tourist was killed on the Tsumkwe gravel road while 29 other tourists from several countries were injured.
An Israeli photographer was killed and his wife injured in a car accident in the north. They were travelling with two other Israeli nationals on a photography trip.
In another accident an Italian tourist was killed and three other Italians injured on the Helmeringhausen road.
Three French tourists were killed in a head on collision about 20km from the Mata-Mata border post on 22 July.
At the end of last year Namibia was slammed in a global report rating countries in terms of the risks they hold for travellers.
The Travel Risk Map for 2017 ranked the most dangerous countries in the world on various aspects, including travel security and road safety. It is designed to alert travellers and tourists to the level of risk they face when visiting destinations worldwide.
Namibia was rated high in terms of road safety risks to travellers, meaning that the country's roads pose a real and tangible danger and caution should be exercised when using the roads.
ELLANIE SMIT
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