Visitors' figures still on the upswing

From the third place in the economy, tourism can easily become the total forerunner. Leon Jooste, Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism, ventures this projection in an interview with Eberhard Hofmann on the hospitality and touring trade.

AZ: In terms of scale and importance among other sectors of the Namibian economy, what rank do you assign to tourism?

Jooste: Currently tourism is seen as the third largest contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). As an industry tourism enjoys a higher priority than ever before. That is simply due to the heightened awareness of the importance of this branch of the economy.



AZ: Does the Ministry of Environment and Tourism keep regular track of statistics on the trends of tourism?

Jooste: Obviously yes. We have an exciting new tool for establishing exact statistics on prevailing trends in tourism. It is called TSA - tourism satellite account. It is a document and measurement criteria widely used in the global tourism industry to determine the exact value this branch contributes directly and indirectly to the economy. It is fairly easy to show direct influence. The indirect contribution however far outweighs the direct influence. Once we have the TSA tool in place we can lobby both the local and international industry more effectively. This instrument originates from the World Tourism Organisation, WTO. The expenditure for this first survey to be done this year costs about one million Namibia Dollar. In contrast, the most recent figures and statistics available from the Ministry of Home Affairs are normally two years old.



AZ: Does the Ministry monitor the tariff development of private sector lodges and other branches of the hospitality trade?

Jooste: This is actually part of the function of the Namibian Tourism Board (NTB). They monitor the market. We don't play any role in regulating tariffs. The NTB advises but has no legal power.



AZ: Are you aware of resistance among tourists and in some areas bad publicity on account of inflated tariffs in comparison to South Africa?

Jooste: Yes we are. You always get complaints, also in South Africa. Even low cost destinations may cause complaints, from backpackers for instance. It is difficult to compare us to South Africa. But we can look at Botswana which has become almost exclusively a high income destination. Do we also want 80 % of our arrivals in this high income bracket? I don't think so. We should service all the income categories. Generally there are no complaints when the quality of the product is in harmony with the price.



AZ: Do you have any strategy to improve the tourism service of state owned rest camps and game parks?

Jooste: Yes, we do. Namibia Wildlife Resorts have experienced major financial and management problems. We have taken a number of steps.

Last year we seconded a group of the management cadre of the ministry to assist NWR to stabilize. Then we appointed the new Managing Director Tobie Aupindi with an MBA (Master of Business Administration) qualification. We have enormous confidence in him. Now we are working on a turn around strategy for NWR. The company has managed to secure financing through local banks for upgrading the resorts.



AZ: How do you define the relationship between the ministry and the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB)?

Jooste: Excellent and fantastic. We lobby more support for them, especially financially. The counter body in South Africa has 500 million Rand at its disposal. NTB can operate on N$ 24.8 Mio for this specialist industry. With our funds we presently cannot develop new markets but must concentrate on our existing core markets



AZ: Does your Ministry attach any importance to research on wildlife and environment?

If yes, does your Ministry initiate or conduct any research on its own? It is common knowledge that the Ministry no longer convenes public sessions to offer research findings of its own.

Jooste: Both wildlife and environment are important to us. The Directorate of Scientific Services is doing a lot to assist in the research for theses. They are often funded through private sources. To approve research permits for projects requires a long selection process.



AZ: What is your assessment of the general state of the tourism industry?

Jooste: I am satisfied. On average African tourism is growing by 6.5 % but Namibia shows 7.2 %. But we still have a long way to go. I want to see complete government commitment. New destinations elsewhere have been successful because there has been government commitment. The island of Mauritius is a case in point. When there was an increase in crime the government stepped in to create a special police force solely for the protection of tourists. We need this in some areas of this country. Furthermore we have a sensitive environment which cannot be overstrained. We can never be a destination for mass tourism.



AZ: Is there any specific message you wish to convey to our readers in general or in the context of the forthcoming show?

Jooste: I am passionate about the Namibian Expo. I appeal to corporate enterprises, operators and companies to give their full support to this Expo. I would love to see it grow beyond its present confines. Tourism can actually become the No. 1 industry. In this branch you experience the quickest return of your investment. It is still the fastest growing industry in the world. We have a unique product to offer. Therefore there is no excuse that tourism cannot become the forerunner in the economy and create jobs.