Tourism and its challenges
Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta has called on all Namibians to promote tourism through preserving arts, culture, heritage and history.
Although Namibia has made tremendous progress in developing and growing the tourism industry, the sector is still facing many challenges, including customer service delivery, a limited geographical spread of tourists, community beneficiation from the sector, and access to funding.
This is according to remarks by tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta at the celebrations of World Tourism Day commemorated on 27 September.
Shifeta said the recent incidences of crime against tourists are also of great concern to the sector.
“Tourism has enormous significance to our economy and it is therefore essential that we value the presence of our visitors by according them the warmest hospitality we can give. We are committed to overcoming the challenges we face in the sector and making use of digital advancements to advance the competitiveness of destination Namibia.”
The theme of this year is 'Tourism and the Digital Transformation'.
Shifeta said in the case of Namibia, this theme is relevant as the country is trying to take advantage of technology in the management and collection of data related to tourism, tourism marketing and addressing the challenges it faces when it comes to the security of tourists.
Over the past years, tourism has become an important sector for the growth of the economy, contributing about 15% to the gross domestic product (GDP).
Tourism is currently the third largest contributing sector to the GDP and has generated 44 000 direct jobs and 100 000 indirect jobs, according to 2015 statistics. Moreover, it continues to be a fast growing sector in spite of the current economic downturn.
“Government has prioritised the tourism sector as one of the sectors that has the capacity and potential to reduce poverty, contribute to income diversification, advance rural development and create jobs through its multiplier effect, while at the same time conserving our natural resources, cultural heritage, history and preserving our biodiversity,” said Shifeta.
He said Namibia has been marketed effectively as a destination of “endless horizons” and it continues to witness increasing arrivals of international tourists.
ELLANIE SMIT
This is according to remarks by tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta at the celebrations of World Tourism Day commemorated on 27 September.
Shifeta said the recent incidences of crime against tourists are also of great concern to the sector.
“Tourism has enormous significance to our economy and it is therefore essential that we value the presence of our visitors by according them the warmest hospitality we can give. We are committed to overcoming the challenges we face in the sector and making use of digital advancements to advance the competitiveness of destination Namibia.”
The theme of this year is 'Tourism and the Digital Transformation'.
Shifeta said in the case of Namibia, this theme is relevant as the country is trying to take advantage of technology in the management and collection of data related to tourism, tourism marketing and addressing the challenges it faces when it comes to the security of tourists.
Over the past years, tourism has become an important sector for the growth of the economy, contributing about 15% to the gross domestic product (GDP).
Tourism is currently the third largest contributing sector to the GDP and has generated 44 000 direct jobs and 100 000 indirect jobs, according to 2015 statistics. Moreover, it continues to be a fast growing sector in spite of the current economic downturn.
“Government has prioritised the tourism sector as one of the sectors that has the capacity and potential to reduce poverty, contribute to income diversification, advance rural development and create jobs through its multiplier effect, while at the same time conserving our natural resources, cultural heritage, history and preserving our biodiversity,” said Shifeta.
He said Namibia has been marketed effectively as a destination of “endless horizons” and it continues to witness increasing arrivals of international tourists.
ELLANIE SMIT
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Namibian Sun
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