Collaborative efforts needed to rescue tourism
More needs to be done in a coordinated manner to reopen the tourism economy successfully and get businesses up and running again, Pohamba Shifeta said.
STAFF REPORTER
WINDHOEK
Government will need to collaborate with various stakeholders in tourism if it is to revive the sector.
Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta said coordinated efforts would go some way in saving the ailing tourism sector.
He made the remarks at the official opening of the 22nd Namibia Tourism Expo, organised annually by Namibia Media Holdings (NMH).
“To reopen the tourism economy successfully and get businesses up and running, more needs to be done in a coordinated way as tourism services are highly interdependent,” Shifeta said.
“The travel and tourism industry and governments should continue to reinforce their coordination mechanisms to support businesses, notably the smallest businesses, and the workers,” he added.
Shifeta also called encouraged stakeholders to place their attention to establishments hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Specific attention should be given also to the most sensitive and vulnerable destinations in the recovery phase.
Extensive collaboration needed
Albe Botha, CEO of NMH, echoed Shifeta’s comments.
“It’s fair to say that tourism in this country has been devastated by Covid-19 and that the way forward will require extensive collaboration between all partners. Without this, the future of this industry is bleak,” he said.
Botha said there will need to be constant engagement between stakeholders to revive the sector.
“Tourism requires considered efforts from all partners on an ongoing basis and without this, a revival will be difficult. The consistent message throughout the next two years will be critical for tourism to grow in Namibia first and foremost, but most importantly that tourism in the region grows as well,” he said.
Partnership is key
Partnership with other SADC member countries would also be necessary, he said.
“We believe that through this process, working with all SADC countries, we will be able to increase tourist numbers, and interactive tourism in southern Africa will be part of the solution.”
“For this to happen, serious engagement between borders is, however, very important and continuous efforts to improve this has to be part of the strategy. At the same time, collaboration between countries has to continue in engaging each other in promoting tourism,” Botha added.
WINDHOEK
Government will need to collaborate with various stakeholders in tourism if it is to revive the sector.
Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta said coordinated efforts would go some way in saving the ailing tourism sector.
He made the remarks at the official opening of the 22nd Namibia Tourism Expo, organised annually by Namibia Media Holdings (NMH).
“To reopen the tourism economy successfully and get businesses up and running, more needs to be done in a coordinated way as tourism services are highly interdependent,” Shifeta said.
“The travel and tourism industry and governments should continue to reinforce their coordination mechanisms to support businesses, notably the smallest businesses, and the workers,” he added.
Shifeta also called encouraged stakeholders to place their attention to establishments hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Specific attention should be given also to the most sensitive and vulnerable destinations in the recovery phase.
Extensive collaboration needed
Albe Botha, CEO of NMH, echoed Shifeta’s comments.
“It’s fair to say that tourism in this country has been devastated by Covid-19 and that the way forward will require extensive collaboration between all partners. Without this, the future of this industry is bleak,” he said.
Botha said there will need to be constant engagement between stakeholders to revive the sector.
“Tourism requires considered efforts from all partners on an ongoing basis and without this, a revival will be difficult. The consistent message throughout the next two years will be critical for tourism to grow in Namibia first and foremost, but most importantly that tourism in the region grows as well,” he said.
Partnership is key
Partnership with other SADC member countries would also be necessary, he said.
“We believe that through this process, working with all SADC countries, we will be able to increase tourist numbers, and interactive tourism in southern Africa will be part of the solution.”
“For this to happen, serious engagement between borders is, however, very important and continuous efforts to improve this has to be part of the strategy. At the same time, collaboration between countries has to continue in engaging each other in promoting tourism,” Botha added.
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