Tourism must drive poverty reduction
Namibia's tourism industry will be remodelled to be a real driver of economic growth and poverty alleviation.
This is according to environment and tourism minister, Pohamba Shifeta who says it is not good enough for Namibia to be regarded as leaders in the field of conservation if the country cannot leverage on this to increase the number of tourists and boost the economy.
“Namibia is regarded as one of the leaders in Africa and the world in conservation and biodiversity. We should leverage on this strength by ensuring that we bring more tourists to witness the beauty of Namibia.”
He however said that it is not enough to boast about good conservation practices if this does not translate into poverty alleviation for the people. “We must use our natural resources to help communities to wriggle out of the stranglehold of poverty. It is high time we start questioning our model insofar as it reduces poverty.”
Shifeta said the time has come to look at the tourism industry and seek innovative ways to elevate its contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP).
He made the remarks at a three-day strategic planning workshop that was held at Daan Viljoen Game Park during which the development of the Strategic Plan for 2017/18 to 2021/22 were discussed.
According to Shifeta, on the international arena, the ministry has made great strides in applying best practices in wildlife conservation and the protection of biodiversity.
Shifeta said that he had fruitful engagements with the consultant regarding the direction he wants the strategic planning session to go.
He told ministry staff that during the session he hopes that there will be there robust discussion on increasing local participation and beneficiation from natural resources by Namibians. “Namibia is an arid country, and the flora and fauna that is in our country is unique to us. We should leverage on this just as Zimbabwe leverages on Victoria Falls, Mauritius leverages on its blue oceans or Kenya on its wildlife.”
He added that a lot of work has to go into remodelling Namibia's tourism industry to be a real driver of economic growth and poverty alleviation. He added that President Hage Geingob has thrown down the gauntlet and directed the focus on poverty alleviation and economic growth.
ELLANIE SMIT
This is according to environment and tourism minister, Pohamba Shifeta who says it is not good enough for Namibia to be regarded as leaders in the field of conservation if the country cannot leverage on this to increase the number of tourists and boost the economy.
“Namibia is regarded as one of the leaders in Africa and the world in conservation and biodiversity. We should leverage on this strength by ensuring that we bring more tourists to witness the beauty of Namibia.”
He however said that it is not enough to boast about good conservation practices if this does not translate into poverty alleviation for the people. “We must use our natural resources to help communities to wriggle out of the stranglehold of poverty. It is high time we start questioning our model insofar as it reduces poverty.”
Shifeta said the time has come to look at the tourism industry and seek innovative ways to elevate its contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP).
He made the remarks at a three-day strategic planning workshop that was held at Daan Viljoen Game Park during which the development of the Strategic Plan for 2017/18 to 2021/22 were discussed.
According to Shifeta, on the international arena, the ministry has made great strides in applying best practices in wildlife conservation and the protection of biodiversity.
Shifeta said that he had fruitful engagements with the consultant regarding the direction he wants the strategic planning session to go.
He told ministry staff that during the session he hopes that there will be there robust discussion on increasing local participation and beneficiation from natural resources by Namibians. “Namibia is an arid country, and the flora and fauna that is in our country is unique to us. We should leverage on this just as Zimbabwe leverages on Victoria Falls, Mauritius leverages on its blue oceans or Kenya on its wildlife.”
He added that a lot of work has to go into remodelling Namibia's tourism industry to be a real driver of economic growth and poverty alleviation. He added that President Hage Geingob has thrown down the gauntlet and directed the focus on poverty alleviation and economic growth.
ELLANIE SMIT
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