Namibia 4th safest in Africa, survey suggests
Ranked as the fourth safest country in Africa recently by Altezza Travel, Namibia has the potential to become the safest country on the continent according to the country's tourism ministry. Spokesperson for the tourism ministry Romeo Muyunda confirmed that Altezza Travel, a destination management company headquartered in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, ranked Namibia as the fourth safest country in Africa.Muyunda said Namibia is one of the most peaceful and safest countries to visit in Africa, with generally well-maintained infrastructure and a well-developed tourism industry.
Namibia was ranked fourth after Mauritius in first place, Ghana in second and Zambia in third place. Ranking behind Namibia were Morocco (5th), Tunisia (6th), Egypt (7th) and Tanzania (8th).
"This ranking points to our peaceful nature as Namibians but also highlights that our collective effort to ensure peace and stability prevails and is being recognised. The ministry commends the Namibian people, security clusters, law enforcement agencies and all stakeholders for fostering law and order in the country," Muyunda said.
He said safety is an important factor in the travel and tourism sectors, and the ranking gives Namibia greater global recognition and will steer more travellers towards the country.
Competitive advantage
"We believe that Namibia, a young democracy with a population of just over three million, has a competitive advantage."
Muyunda said that even though Namibia is ranked fourth, the ministry believes the country has the potential to achieve the safest country ranking in Africa.
Strive for better
The rankings come against the backdrop of an ongoing tourism safety campaign being spearheaded by the ministry in collaboration with the police, tour operators and selected regional councils, among others.
"As a country we must prioritise peace and stability, as this will not only attract tourists but also much-needed investors that will enhance economic development," Muyunda said.
He said Namibia has a stable political environment that is complemented by enabling laws and policies.
"We have seen a seamless and peaceful transition of power from three presidents contributing to the rankings. We would like to encourage the country's citizens to work together to ensure the protection of our natural resources and make Namibia a safer place for local and international visitors. By such dedication, we may strive to rank first place in the near future."
Altezza Travel formulated the rankings by reviewing leading global studies from recent years, including official statistics and citizens' perceptions of personal safety.