HAN happy with members

THE Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) says nearly all its members have managed to comply with the new sector regulations put in place by the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) in November last year.

Out of the 269 full members registered with HAN, only five establishments are still awaiting the completion of their NTB application process. Over the past year players in the hospitality industry – including bed-and-breakfasts, lodges, backpackers’ hostels, hotels and guest farms – have been ensuring that they are well-versed and updated on the NTB registration process and their duties pertaining to the new regulations.The NTB adopted a resolution to prosecute unregistered businesses that have not been paying their tourism levies.If one is prosecuted and convicted, the penalty could be a fine not exceeding N$20 000, or imprisonment not exceeding two years, or both.Those in the tourism accommodation industry also have to pay bi-monthly levies, which came into effect almost a year ago.In a press statement, HAN Chief Executive Officer Gitta Paetzold said her organisation had assisted its members with the process.”This process has further prompted HAN to continuously update its members about the numerous other statutory and legal requirements the tourism accommodation industry is subjected to, to ensure that HAN members abide by the association’s code of conduct…,” said Paetzold.According to Paetzold, since 2001 HAN has been prompting members to submit regular figures so the industry could assess itself and submit such data to NTB, and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.Over the past year players in the hospitality industry – including bed-and-breakfasts, lodges, backpackers’ hostels, hotels and guest farms – have been ensuring that they are well-versed and updated on the NTB registration process and their duties pertaining to the new regulations.The NTB adopted a resolution to prosecute unregistered businesses that have not been paying their tourism levies.If one is prosecuted and convicted, the penalty could be a fine not exceeding N$20 000, or imprisonment not exceeding two years, or both.Those in the tourism accommodation industry also have to pay bi-monthly levies, which came into effect almost a year ago.In a press statement, HAN Chief Executive Officer Gitta Paetzold said her organisation had assisted its members with the process.”This process has further prompted HAN to continuously update its members about the numerous other statutory and legal requirements the tourism accommodation industry is subjected to, to ensure that HAN members abide by the association’s code of conduct…,” said Paetzold.According to Paetzold, since 2001 HAN has been prompting members to submit regular figures so the industry could assess itself and submit such data to NTB, and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.