Tourism’s everyone’s business, HAN chief says
The Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) hosted its tourism trade forum last week in Windhoek, with the aim of reconnecting sector stakeholders after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to HAN CEO Gitta Paetzold, the forum provided a platform for the Namibian travel industry and its partners to discuss issues of interest and concern such as rates, policies, coordination and relationship-building, while allowing attendees to brainstorm innovative new tourism products.
“This year, a maximum number of participants secured a trade table for the event. These delegates present a wide variety and good representation of the Namibian tourism accommodation and community tourism sector, conveniently gathered at one venue over two days for valuable networking and trade partnership building.”
Added to the mix, Paetzold said, were Qatar Airways as well as Fly Namibia.
“And due to the ever-increasing need to keep abreast of technological advances, two tech companies also presented innovative ways of communication and e-payment models for tourism under the ‘Payment for Africa Banner’.”
Supply chain relationships
Issues discussed during engagements were determined by participating and engaging tourism partners, but according to Paetzold, pricing and tourism supply chain relationships were deemed most important.
“Namibians are keen to ensure that the tourism product ultimately put out in the international markets meets and exceeds the wishes and demands of the international travel community eager to return to or explore new desirable destinations.”
She said the challenges posed by the severe impact the pandemic had on the travel and tourism industry and lessons to be learnt from this crisis formed another set of debates.
This included the preparedness of the new normal, including continued demands for special hygiene and other social contact requirements as well as resilience factors to be built into future processes and partnerships, she added.
“Tourism is everyone’s business, the success of which depends on strong and trusted partnerships of tourism service providers who share the responsibility of preparing and positioning Namibia as a travel destination of choice.
“Business sessions such as the forum aim to set the stage for this professional engagement.”
According to HAN CEO Gitta Paetzold, the forum provided a platform for the Namibian travel industry and its partners to discuss issues of interest and concern such as rates, policies, coordination and relationship-building, while allowing attendees to brainstorm innovative new tourism products.
“This year, a maximum number of participants secured a trade table for the event. These delegates present a wide variety and good representation of the Namibian tourism accommodation and community tourism sector, conveniently gathered at one venue over two days for valuable networking and trade partnership building.”
Added to the mix, Paetzold said, were Qatar Airways as well as Fly Namibia.
“And due to the ever-increasing need to keep abreast of technological advances, two tech companies also presented innovative ways of communication and e-payment models for tourism under the ‘Payment for Africa Banner’.”
Supply chain relationships
Issues discussed during engagements were determined by participating and engaging tourism partners, but according to Paetzold, pricing and tourism supply chain relationships were deemed most important.
“Namibians are keen to ensure that the tourism product ultimately put out in the international markets meets and exceeds the wishes and demands of the international travel community eager to return to or explore new desirable destinations.”
She said the challenges posed by the severe impact the pandemic had on the travel and tourism industry and lessons to be learnt from this crisis formed another set of debates.
This included the preparedness of the new normal, including continued demands for special hygiene and other social contact requirements as well as resilience factors to be built into future processes and partnerships, she added.
“Tourism is everyone’s business, the success of which depends on strong and trusted partnerships of tourism service providers who share the responsibility of preparing and positioning Namibia as a travel destination of choice.
“Business sessions such as the forum aim to set the stage for this professional engagement.”
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