The tourism sector in Namibia is a significant industry that directly contributes 6.9% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which amounts to N$14.3 billion in monetary value.
According to the 2022 Namibia Tourist Satellite Account
Report, tourism-related industries employ a total of 57 277 individuals,
accounting for 7.9% of the overall employment in 2022.
Minister of Environment, Tourism and Forestry Pohamba
Shifeta made this statement on Wednesday while delivering his keynote address
at the official opening of the Tourism Expo in Windhoek
The expo is being held under the theme 'Beyond Borders',
with greater emphasis on the optimisation of the unfolding tourism economic
opportunities in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA
TFCA) region.
According to him, tourism is given high priority in both the
National Development Plans (NDPs) and the Harambee Prosperity Plans (HPPs).
Additionally, that tourism is acknowledged as a substantial
factor in generating foreign exchange profits, investments, income, employment
opportunities, rural development, poverty alleviation and overall economic
prosperity of the country.
"I am informed that many entities have benefited in
many ways as a result of hosting this expo, such as increasing bookings at
their accommodation establishments," he said.
According to Windhoek's deputy mayor Joseph Uapingene, the
tourism industry is both dynamic and expanding. It offers opportunities but
also poses challenges, especially for local government.
This is because local government is responsible for
providing and managing the infrastructure and services that are frequently used
by both tourists and residents, he said
"Local government, in its function as the custodian of
the 'showroom', frequently plays a crucial part in improving the overall
tourist experience
Consequently, it is imperative to comprehend the
implications of this matter," Uapingene said.
- Nampa
0 comments:
Post a Comment