Tourism Expo attendance swells

The 2016 Namibia Tourism Expo, hosted at the Windhoek Show Grounds, pulled in record crowds during the four-day event, which ended this past Saturday.An increase in attendance of 3.5% was recorded during this year’s event, compared to last year.The expo, which offers various industry roleplayers the chance to exhibit and sell their goods, was run under the theme ‘Community’ this year, and saw a record 22 773 visitors in attendance, compared to the 22 013 visitors that walked through the gates of the Windhoek Show Ground’s last year.The expo is hosted annually by Namibia Media Holdings (NMH), in collaboration with various partners, including Old Mutual and Nedbank Namibia.It was officially opened this year by Environment and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta and NMH Chairperson Josephat Mwatotele, with the lighting of the Unity Fire. The expo also recorded an increase of 8% in terms of pensioner visits, with the event also offering goodies like free cupcakes and coffee for all senior citizens that attended. The event, which was opened last Wednesday, also saw regional and continental celebrities like Jenny Morris and Kinglsey Colgate being featured. NMH, in collaboration with Old Mutual and Nedbank Namibia, ran a highly successful event that saw the Republikein Bridal Couple of the Year Competition and the Town of the Year Competitions come to and end, with the winners being announced on the last day of the expo. City of Windhoek Mayor Muesee Kazapua said at the opening event that “the small and medium enterprises, which are a part of the tourism expo, are one of the key sectors that contribute to the boosting of the economy of the country”.The event also saw students from the Namibia University Science and Technology (NUST) and NMH Youth Media taking part in various activities. Students from the NUST Hotel School had a stall, where they were selling ice cream and other treats that they made in their own kitchens. NMH Youth Media, which is run by NMH together with the Newspaper School Project for high school learners, saw a group of 20 pupils writing the Expo Times newspaper, which was handed out at the expo. The event was a tremendous success, according to organisers, sponsors, exhibitors and visitors, and promises to be just as fun-filled and exciting next year. KEITH VRIES

Tourism Expo attendance swells

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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Tourism Expo attendance swells

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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