Shifeta launches 2020 Namibia Tourism Expo
WINDHOEK, 28 OCT- Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta on Wednesday launched the 2020 Namibia Tourism Expo slated for 04 to 07 November. He said the expo will create a platform for the industry to brainstorm ideas to ensure that Namibia remains a preferred destination in sub-Saharan Africa. “Namibia’s tourism sector continues to be…
WINDHOEK, 28 OCT (NAMPA) – Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta on Wednesday launched the 2020 Namibia Tourism Expo slated for 04 to 07 November.
Shifeta said given the COVID-19 pandemic which has brought many economies to a standstill, continuity of domestic tourism operations is crucial. He said the expo will create a platform for the industry to brainstorm ideas to ensure that Namibia remains a preferred destination in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Namibia’s tourism sector continues to be suppressed by COVID-19 effects which resulted in a decline in tourism activities. The expo is not only creating awareness of the importance of domestic tourism, but also presents an opportunity to turn the domestic tourism industry around,” he said.
Shifeta further said despite the introduction of the Tourism Revival Initiative to revive the tourism sector, domestic tourism is currently running at a loss as a result of the impact of COVID-19.
“The pandemic has taught us that we need to re-focus, invest and aggressively market domestic tourism. This expo which started 22 years ago continues to be the biggest tourism event in the country which brings together stakeholders from all walks of life as well as international exhibitors to showcase their services and products and network, synergise and create business links,” he noted.
Shifeta said the expo is an important platform for the tourism industry and its suppliers to market, new and existing products and services directly to the consumer as well as the travel trade, both locally and internationally.
He added that it is important for the Namibian tourism sector to engage in activities that tarnish the image of the country such as facilities and products that are of low quality, bad customer service as well as theft that will negatively affect the sector.
(NAMPA)
LD/EK/AS
