Tourism industry urged to embrace land reform

THE tourism industry in Namibia should not be a passive spectator in the land reform process but play an active role to help ensure that the programme was successfully carried out.

Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), Gideon Shilongo, said land reform was a legitimate process that was not only sensitive but could easily explode if not handled responsibly. He was speaking about the challenges faced by the tourism industry at a two-day sales and marketing strategic workshop in the capital last week.Shilongo expressed concern about some public statements that were perceived internationally to suggest unlawful or disorderly process of land reform.”We have witnessed a number of cancellations especially in the guest farm industry this year as visitors would not like to find themselves in the wrong place at a wrong time,” Shilongo said.He also said that the new communal land rental fees that were to be implemented soon might discourage tourism development initiatives in rural areas should they be perceived to be high by prospective investors.- NampaHe was speaking about the challenges faced by the tourism industry at a two-day sales and marketing strategic workshop in the capital last week.Shilongo expressed concern about some public statements that were perceived internationally to suggest unlawful or disorderly process of land reform.”We have witnessed a number of cancellations especially in the guest farm industry this year as visitors would not like to find themselves in the wrong place at a wrong time,” Shilongo said.He also said that the new communal land rental fees that were to be implemented soon might discourage tourism development initiatives in rural areas should they be perceived to be high by prospective investors.- Nampa