New tourism association formed

A NEW association of indigenous Namibians in the tourism sector was launched in Windhoek on Friday evening.

The Executive Director of the Association of Tourism Businesses by Indigenous Namibia (ATIN), Clement Kaukuetu, said they want the tourism sector to be inclusive. He said ATIN was not going to compete with existing tourism businesses but would simply add a Namibian dimension to the sector.The Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations (Fenata), Jacky Asheeke, urged ATIN to join Fenata.He reminded ATIN that tourism was a business and businesses have to make money.Environment and Tourism Deputy Minister Leon Jooste said tourism plays an increasingly important role in the socio-economic development of Namibia, boosting job creation and earning much-needed foreign exchange.”I welcome the establishment and subsequent launching of the Association of Tourism by Indigenous Namibians for having realised the importance of the tourism industry for the previously disadvantaged members of our society and the need for them to fully take ownership of tourism,” said Jooste.He said ATIN was not going to compete with existing tourism businesses but would simply add a Namibian dimension to the sector.The Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations (Fenata), Jacky Asheeke, urged ATIN to join Fenata.He reminded ATIN that tourism was a business and businesses have to make money.Environment and Tourism Deputy Minister Leon Jooste said tourism plays an increasingly important role in the socio-economic development of Namibia, boosting job creation and earning much-needed foreign exchange.”I welcome the establishment and subsequent launching of the Association of Tourism by Indigenous Namibians for having realised the importance of the tourism industry for the previously disadvantaged members of our society and the need for them to fully take ownership of tourism,” said Jooste.