Professional service could create more tourism jobs

KEETMANSHOOP – The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) believes that the tourism sector could create even more jobs if tourists are encouraged to visit the country in the so-called off-season.

Speaking at a one-day meeting last week, aimed at informing the tourism industry of the new tourism and levy regulations, NTB General Manager Digu Naobeb said the country was capable of attracting tourists all year round. Naobeb noted that the current perception that Namibia has a peak tourism season from June to December is unsubstantiated.He said the country’s wide horizons, contrasting landscapes and abundant wildlife should make it a tourist paradise.Naobeb said research by his institution indicates that South Africa is visited by a large number of tourists during the so-called off-season in Namibia.He noted that the two countries offer the same type of tourist attractions.This, he said, indicates that trough proper marketing Namibia could also expect many visitors during the period from January to May.Naobeb was of the notion that once this is achieved, more permanent jobs would be created in the tourism sector rather than the current situation where there are many temporary workers that are laid off in the period when fewer tourists arrive.The tourism sector currently employs more than 24 000 people.The NTB is projecting that the sector could employ about 600 000 people by the year 2020 if it is properly managed and regulated.Naobeb called on tourism industry to improve its service provision.He noted that service provision could, however, only be improved if more emphasis is put on skills training.- NampaNaobeb noted that the current perception that Namibia has a peak tourism season from June to December is unsubstantiated.He said the country’s wide horizons, contrasting landscapes and abundant wildlife should make it a tourist paradise.Naobeb said research by his institution indicates that South Africa is visited by a large number of tourists during the so-called off-season in Namibia.He noted that the two countries offer the same type of tourist attractions.This, he said, indicates that trough proper marketing Namibia could also expect many visitors during the period from January to May.Naobeb was of the notion that once this is achieved, more permanent jobs would be created in the tourism sector rather than the current situation where there are many temporary workers that are laid off in the period when fewer tourists arrive.The tourism sector currently employs more than 24 000 people.The NTB is projecting that the sector could employ about 600 000 people by the year 2020 if it is properly managed and regulated.Naobeb called on tourism industry to improve its service provision.He noted that service provision could, however, only be improved if more emphasis is put on skills training.- Nampa