Tourism pins its hopes on 2010 soccer World Cup

ENVIRONMENT and Tourism Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has expressed concern about the impact of the global economic crisis on the Namibian tourism sector, which has already shown lower tourist arrival figures compared to previous years.

‘This is a cause for serious concern. We will need to face this challenge together, because its impacts will be felt by all of us, albeit in different forms and intensity,’ she told the 40th board meeting of the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (Retosa) at Swakopmund yesterday.She said although work to enhance tourism development was an ongoing process, the tourism sector should be geared to enhance tourism’s contribution to economic growth and development.She called on the delegates to seize the opportunity of next year’s Fifa World Cup and African Cup soccer tournaments in South Africa and Angola respectively.The meeting at Swakopmund was attended by senior Government officials and delegates from tourism umbrella bodies from SADC’s 14 member states.SADC’s Deputy Executive Secretary, Joao Caholo, said: ‘It is critical that we continue to explore more innovative ways of enhancing expenditure by the tourism sector. During the World Cup event our resolve to maximise our tourism opportunities cannot be doubted.’He said it was important for the tourism sector to ensure that its plans and strategies for the soccer events are finalised soon.’Given that we are barely a year away from the event… it is important that we create a lasting impression to visitors to this event, who will in turn be our ambassadors to the rest of the world,’ he said.adam@namibian.com.na