HENTIES BAY – The Henties Bay Tourism Association wants to improve the town’s infrastructure to boost tourism.
HTA chairman Cilliers Steenkamp told Nampa over the weekend that the town lacks tourist attractions like the historic buildings of Swakopmund, and therefore does not attract many tourists. He said most of the tourists who visit the town are on their way to Cape Cross, as there is not much in Henties Bay to keep them there.’We are trying to put up infrastructure such as a place where the community can make traditional beads and crafts to sell them to get tourists here for the benefit of the people of Henties Bay,’ he said.Steenkamp added that currently, the only activity that attract tourists to the town is the four-by-four vehicle and hiking routes, adding that the town was once known as a fishing mecca, but this alone cannot keep tourists there for long.Meanwhile, the HTA is faced with a problem of not having a fixed venue to host the fish festival, as the current place where it is normally held is earmarked for the establishment of the Henties Bay Waterfront.’We are running out of space, and there is no venue in Henties Bay to host the fish festival,’ said Steenkamp.The association therefore has to rent everything such as mobile toilets, security guards and tents for the festival each year.This situation has forced HTA to charge high amounts at the entrance gates, which are N$40 for adults and N$20 for children, in order to pay for the infrastructure they have to rent, he said.However, the fish festival is growing bigger each year, having started with only ten businesses when it commenced ten years ago, while 3 800 visitors visited the fish festival last year.The number of exhibitors has since grown to 40 this year, said Steenkamp, adding that they are targeting to attract 6 000 visitors this year.The HTA has a membership of 46 businesspeople at the town.They showcase various products such as locally made glass products, wine, meat products such as biltong, clothes, and photo frames during the festival, which also includes an angling competition.- Nampa
