SA tourism is booming – but De Lille admits violent crime makes selling the country harder - EWN

South Africa's tourism numbers are heading in the right direction, but our crime levels are putting off international visitors.

That's according to Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille, who told 702's Bongani Bingwa that the recent mass killings in Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal were ''very, very concerning.''

"We have to convert a person and inspire that person to travel to our country."

South Africa welcomed 6.58 million international tourists between January and July this year, up 12.4% compared with the same period last year.

But De Lille acknowledged that headlines about violent crime make the job of marketing the country more difficult.

“We have to make sure that we give assurance that you will be safe,” she said.

Adding that tourists are warned when they arrive that they must be vigilant.

"You know, you can go into any hotel room, you know, they will have a little notice to give people some safety tips."

But despite the tips and warnings, the safety concerns remain, she said.

“We do find it difficult sometimes when people say, ‘No, I will not be safe.’"