Aus rising like a phoenix from the ashes

A NEW N$1 million community tourist information centre has opened in the southern settlement of Aus.

Officiating at the opening ceremony, Minister of Environment and Tourism Willem Konjore dispelled the belief that community tourism in the south is not achieving anything. “The community of Aus is almost rising like a phoenix from the ashes to become a shining example of a new model of socio-economic partnership – one where the community, Government and private sector are harnessing resources for development.”Konjore said.He urged the community to take advantage of the private sector’s support.However, he also warned the community not to misuse it.The establishment of the information centre was mainly funded by the European Union (EU) and the Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Programme (SKEP).The information centre includes a café and a souvenir shop.The information centre on the way into Aus introduces tourists to the numerous and in some cases inconspicuous attractions of the area.It also urges the protection and sustainable use of natural resources.The centre is managed by a young entrepreneur, Claudia Baisitse, who grew up in Aus and employs three of the local residents.With more than 500 plant species, the area is seen as a hotspot of Namibian flora.Three desert systems overlap at Aus: the Dune Namib, the Nama Karoo and the Succulent Karoo, which is the most biodiverse desert on earth.”We are applying for conservancy status for the townlands of Aus in order to be able to better protect our unique nature,” Baisitse said.Speaking at the same event, Karas Governor Dawid Boois emphasised the importance of tourism as the driving force behind development in Aus and in southern Namibia.”Aus is one of the poorest communities in Namibia, despite its proximity to some of the leading economic contributors of the country such as the mining and fishing sectors,” Boois said.He said tourism in the region still left much to be desired and an effort had to be made to attract more tourists.”The community of Aus is almost rising like a phoenix from the ashes to become a shining example of a new model of socio-economic partnership – one where the community, Government and private sector are harnessing resources for development.”Konjore said.He urged the community to take advantage of the private sector’s support.However, he also warned the community not to misuse it.The establishment of the information centre was mainly funded by the European Union (EU) and the Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Programme (SKEP).The information centre includes a café and a souvenir shop.The information centre on the way into Aus introduces tourists to the numerous and in some cases inconspicuous attractions of the area.It also urges the protection and sustainable use of natural resources.The centre is managed by a young entrepreneur, Claudia Baisitse, who grew up in Aus and employs three of the local residents.With more than 500 plant species, the area is seen as a hotspot of Namibian flora.Three desert systems overlap at Aus: the Dune Namib, the Nama Karoo and the Succulent Karoo, which is the most biodiverse desert on earth.”We are applying for conservancy status for the townlands of Aus in order to be able to better protect our unique nature,” Baisitse said.Speaking at the same event, Karas Governor Dawid Boois emphasised the importance of tourism as the driving force behind development in Aus and in southern Namibia.”Aus is one of the poorest communities in Namibia, despite its proximity to some of the leading economic contributors of the country such as the mining and fishing sectors,” Boois said.He said tourism in the region still left much to be desired and an effort had to be made to attract more tourists.