Tourism Organisations of Namibia

A message from NTB CEO Digu //Naobeb - We are facing an unpresented global health crisis that will shape in future how travel and tourism will be conducted and the economic dynamics that will be derived as an output. On the scale of things, it is a human, economic and social crisis. The COVID-19, is attacking societies at their core and has shaken us out of our comfort zones. Travel and Tourism is one of the most directly affected industries in this current crisis and this calls for immediate and long term response. This is particularly true for Namibia. At the advent of Namibia’s decision to close the borders, NTB, with collective industry input via the umbrella body, being Fenata, has been engaged to ponder modalities during the meetings chaired by Hon Shifeta himself already in March. This dialogue and interaction continued since then. Through this pursuit, it was blissful when the President, His Excellency Dr Geingob, announced gradual re opening of the borders to revive the tourism industry as of 15th July 2020. Further consultations were since then held collectively with the Government assigned Technical Team to frame the principles that will govern the gradual revival of the tourism industry. We continued to portray united front and inclusivity by roping in Namibia Airports Company, Namibia Civil Aviation Authority, Air Namibia, ETEA, HAN, NAPHA and CARAN etc., as tourism revival requires inputs and ideas and preparedness of all stakeholders in this value chain. Surely, the grounded silver line is to balance the health of the citizens and economic revival, whilst mitigating the continued surge of COVID-19 infections--- this has proven to be a challenge, which has delayed the formal announcement on the re-opening of borders. But the thankful outcome is that all parties in these negotiations are now poised with the appreciation as to how this industry and health issues are intertwined, which we certainly hope that very soon government will pronounce itself to set out the overarching framework. It is also further envisaged that a technical task team shall be appointed, who shall then be mandated to work out the finer details to bring the principle framework, as shall be announced by the government, to live. At this juncture, it is premature to provide any details around the discussion as the Cabinet must still deliberate and take a decision. This is simply to avert confusion and uncalled for expectations in the marketplace. The proposal on the table, however, does not restrict arrival of tourists from a specific source market/country. It shall be broader in line with the infection rate in that given country, which will be reviewed by the Government constantly. Therefore, the decision to allow entry of residents of such identified countries into Namibian shall then depend on how the COVID-19 impact evolves in that given countries. At this point, we do not have the full list and it shall form part of the formal announcement by the Government. But we should remain cognizant of the fact that with international aviation, at a virtual standstill since March 2020, the closure of the tourism sites and attractions, the cancellation or postponement of major festivals and events, and restrictions on public gatherings (indoor and outdoor) in many countries, the Namibian tourism recovery shall not happen overnight as much as the borders will be opened. Especially, airlines must make a commercial decision as to the viability to undertake flights to Namibia as we have seen in the case of Tanzania and Kenya, who opened they borders, but this has not still yielded significant result, except providing confidence is planning. As I sign off, let us be reminded that we have to change the way we are thinking in reviving this industry very fast, decisively, and together. The right, urgent, measures, could make the difference between survival and collapse. The choices we make today will directly affect the way this crisis shapes tourism tomorrow. COVID-19 is a greatest test for travel and tourism industry, if one fail than we all fail. The reality is that global travel and tourism will be hard hit throughout 2020 and beyond, even if the spread of the virus is brought under control in the coming months. Therefore, my fellow colleagues within travel and tourism industry this is the time we stand together and become better than the crisis. NTB Newsletter July/ August 2020 1st Edition www.namibiatourism.com.na

Tourism Organisations of Namibia

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Allgemeine Zeitung 2024-11-22

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Tourism Organisations of Namibia

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Allgemeine Zeitung 2024-11-22

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