Glimmer of hope for tourism

JEMIMA BEUKES WINDHOEKNamibia is confident that its Tourism Revival Initiative Strategy (TRIS), launched a year ago, will improve business and traveller confidence, as well as business survival prospects.President Hage Geingob said this at the opening of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Brand Africa regional tourism conference currently on in Windhoek.Since the outbreak of the global pandemic in March 2020, the world has witnessed a 96% reduction in travel as many member states decided to close their borders.Namibia was hard hit by the drastic reduction of tourists who offer much needed revenue for the country’s coffers.According to Geingob, while the advent of Covid-19 vaccines brought hope and encouragement, challenges persist as the tourism sector is expected to experience negative to zero growth until well into 2022.“Due to limited access to vaccines in the developing world, the sector faces the potential of numerous stop-and-start cycles for some time. This will further damage business and traveller confidence, and business survival prospects,” he said. Inclusive tourismNamibia has, in the meantime, relied on domestic tourism to sustain jobs and business in some destinations; however, these incomes cannot compensate for the loss of tourism in general. Geingob yesterday said real recovery will only be possible when international tourism returns to pre Covid-19 levels, with the effective implementation of the UNWTO Agenda for Africa 2030, which aims at a more inclusive tourism.“Tourism for inclusive growth is more pertinent than ever. Taking this into account, it is of paramount importance that we develop coherent and comprehensive approaches to tourism policy-making as a means of enabling our tourism sectors to effectively address inequalities and improve the resilience of our economies,” he said.He added that post Covid-19 tourism level recovery also requires global co-operation and evidence-based solutions that will enable the safe lifting of travel restrictions.“In the aftermath of the pandemic, our ability to foster resilience within tourism will be key to ensuring not only the sustained growth of this sector but also enhance preparedness for any future shocks. Therefore, we should all be cognisant of the value of strong dialogue between governments.”The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Zurab Pololikashvili, the secretary-general of UNWTO.Others included Albert Muchanga, commissioner for trade and industry at the African Union Commission and tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta.jemima@namibiansun.com

Glimmer of hope for tourism

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-19

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Glimmer of hope for tourism

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-19

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