Page 19 - Destination Risk and Resilience Manual-Namibia

DESTINATION RISK AND RESILIENCE MANUAL

2.5.1 The public sector utilisation of the country’s living natural resources for
the benefit of all Namibians, both present and in the
The government is important in directing functions future. The ministry achieves its aims through mul-
and providing legislative frameworks and guidance tiple directorates such as the Directorate of Tourism
so that activities in the sector are coordinated. This is and Gaming (DTG) whose mission is to develop a sus-
especially critical for growth and sustainability, eco- tainable and responsible tourism industry that con-
nomically, socially, and environmentally. Central to tributes significantly to the economic development
the governance of the tourism sector is thus the Min- of Namibia. There are several other tourism bodies in
istry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) operation as recommended by the National Sustain-
whose role is to institute and promote policies that able Tourism Growth and Development Strategy to
maintain ecological ecosystems and protect the bio- aid in good governance of the tourism industry in the
logical diversity of Namibia as well as the sustainable country (Table 1).

Table 1: National and Regional Government Tourism Bodies in Namibia

NO TOURISM BODY OBJECTIVE

1 Inter-Ministerial The overall objective of the Inter-Ministerial Clusters on Tourism Development
Clusters on Tourism is for the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism to meet with the
Development identified clusters to deliberate on tourism-related matters The clusters will
aim to harmonise different Government policies in regard to tourism and eradicate
the factors that hinder tourism growth and development

2 National Tourism The overall objective of the NTCAC is to make the Namibia tourism industry
Competitiveness competitive and effective through consultation with both governmental and
Advisory Council non-governmental agencies The council will aim to harmonise different
Government policies in regard to tourism and eradicate the factors that are
hindering tourism growth and development

3 Regional Tourism The main objective of the Regional Tourism Forums is to oversee tourism
Forums development and economic growth and to ensure the geographic spread of
the benefits of tourism in the regions

Other critical state-owned enterprises under the MEFT all these stakeholders are governed through their
include the Namibian Tourism Board, the Namibian membership to associations that guard their interests
Wildlife Resorts, the Zambezi Water Front, and the and sometimes even regulate their operations. These
Windhoek Country Club and Casino. associations include the Federation of Namibian Tour-
ism Associations (FENATA) a voluntary organisation
for Namibian Tourism Associations that comprises all
2.5.2 The private sector the different autonomous associations, organisations,
non-profit making organisations, directly or indirect-
While the national government provides the overall ly involved in tourism. There is also the Hospitality
legal frameworks, direction and guidance to the gov- Association of Namibia (HAN) which represents the
ernance of the tourism industry in the country, there full spectrum of the hospitality industry, and the Tour
are also many other structures that are critical to the and Safari Association of Namibia (TASA) which is a
smooth operation of a sector dominated by numerous voluntary private-sector body that acts on behalf of its
small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) such as members to encourage the development of responsi-
guest farms, game reserves, accommodation establish- ble tourism in Namibia. This association also ensures
ments, food and beverage establishments, small craft that standards in the sector are adhered to and that
owners, shuttle services and tour guides. Generally, there is reliability in the Namibian tourism industry.

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