The eThekwini Municipality has urged tourists to be cautious when booking accommodations in Durban as the holidays are approaching.
Image: UNSPLASH FREE DOWNLOADS
As the Easter holidays approach, holidaymakers are being urged to be careful when booking accommodation online.
The eThekwini Municipality has issued a warning to be extra vigilant when booking accommodation and not fall victim to online scammers as Durban remains a popular tourist destination.
The warning comes after tourists from Mpumalanga and Gauteng Provinces were scammed and left stranded after falling prey to criminals.
Durban Tourism and the central Community Tourism Organisation assisted the victims to open a criminal case with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and get alternative accommodation, said eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Ms Gugu Sisilana.
“Durban is renowned for its scenic beauty and beaches and has seen an increase in tourism during peak holiday seasons post the Covid-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, scammers have also taken advantage of this growth by creating fake websites, social media pages and holiday packages that appear legitimate,” said Ms Sisilana.
eThekwini Municipality has the following safety tips for holidaymakers;
Some of the common scams include fake accommodation listings on online platforms offering non-existent or unavailable accommodation, added Ms Sisilana. There are also phishing scams in the form of emails or messages, requesting payment or personal information under the guise of confirming bookings or itineraries, she added.
Tourists are urged to verify travel bookings by using reputable booking platforms. Holidaymakers can also verify accommodation establishments by contacting Durban Tourism. If you suspect a scam, report it to local authorities immediately before making any payments.