NTB introduces new tourism and levy regulations

THE Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) has launched the new tourism and levy regulations in a bid to establish a benchmark of quality and ensuring high standards are maintained by all players in the industry.

The new regulations issued by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in July were launched at a local hotel in Windhoek yesterday. The regulations will see an enforcement that all businesses operating in the industry are to register with the NTB by November 1 and February 1 2005 for non-accommodation establishments.Failure to register by the set dates could lead to prosecution and if convicted, the offender could be sentenced to two years in jail or fined up to N$20 000.According to the NTB, this would do away with bogus operators that might damage the country’s image.”The regulations will greatly benefit the industry by eliminating fly-by-night operators that damage Namibia’s image and good reputation.It will establish reliable yard sticks for setting and maintaining quality standards, thus levelling the playing field for all and making Namibia a competitive tourism destination.”Businesses that have to register are backpacker accommodations, camping and caravan parks, guest farms, guest houses, rest camps and self-catering accommodation, bed and breakfast establishments, camp sites, hotel pensions, lodges, permanent tented camps, tented lodges and resorts.NTB said the necessity to regulate the industry had the support of professional businesses and associates active in tourism, who want to ensure that visitors coming to Namibia are offered high quality services on a consistent basis.Hot on the heels of yesterday’s launch, a team from the NTB will now visit several major towns on road shows to meet with relevant stakeholders to address them on the new regulations.The regulations will see an enforcement that all businesses operating in the industry are to register with the NTB by November 1 and February 1 2005 for non-accommodation establishments.Failure to register by the set dates could lead to prosecution and if convicted, the offender could be sentenced to two years in jail or fined up to N$20 000.According to the NTB, this would do away with bogus operators that might damage the country’s image.”The regulations will greatly benefit the industry by eliminating fly-by-night operators that damage Namibia’s image and good reputation.It will establish reliable yard sticks for setting and maintaining quality standards, thus levelling the playing field for all and making Namibia a competitive tourism destination.”Businesses that have to register are backpacker accommodations, camping and caravan parks, guest farms, guest houses, rest camps and self-catering accommodation, bed and breakfast establishments, camp sites, hotel pensions, lodges, permanent tented camps, tented lodges and resorts.NTB said the necessity to regulate the industry had the support of professional businesses and associates active in tourism, who want to ensure that visitors coming to Namibia are offered high quality services on a consistent basis.Hot on the heels of yesterday’s launch, a team from the NTB will now visit several major towns on road shows to meet with relevant stakeholders to address them on the new regulations.