Page 27 - Destination Risk and Resilience Manual-Namibia

DESTINATION RISK AND RESILIENCE MANUAL

3.2.5 Expansion of human settlement 3.2.7 Understaffing of
and existence of illegal market for wildlife the National Tourism Board
products
Namibia in general and the Erongo Region in particu-
While poaching is a very serious problem that requires lar, is an attractive destination with beautiful scenery
urgent attention, much of the measures advocated and a variety of wildlife. However, this destination is
for do not address the root causes of this challenge, inadequately marketed. This is because there is insuffi-
presumably because the underlying drivers are scarce- cient manpower and understaffing within the National
ly understood. Information gathered in this study Tourism Board to focus on destination branding, to
showed that poaching is generally a result of the deal with grading and quality issues in the industry,
continued existence of the illegal markets for wildlife and to creatively use the media to market the destina-
products and the high value that is placed on these tion to reach its full potential.
products. As long as the illegal market continues to
exist, poaching is likely to endure. To tackle poaching
successfully, there is therefore a need to address the 3.2.8 Lack of certification and registration
root cause and fight to stamp out the illegal markets in the industry
that exist in the various parts of the world. In addi-
tion to the existence of the illegal market, some of the Certification goes a long way in enhancing a desti-
poaching is influenced by the encroachment of human nation. One of the key challenges raised in the study
settlements into areas previously reserved exclusively was the non-recognition of qualified tour guides. This
for wildlife. Given that some of the inhabitants are affects the payments due to these guides as they are
poor, poaching wildlife is also an attempt to supple- generally paid less, even though they offer adequate
ment their livelihoods. The solution, therefore, lies in services to the visitors. The absence of certification of
not only educating the communities on the value of these tour guides by the industry is a risk to the image
wildlife, but also making sure that the communities of the destination. There is therefore a need to have
also benefit from the wildlife. This will engender a these guides officially certified to control the prolifer-
sense of ownership in the community and thus pro- ation of unqualified and incompetent guides who may
tection for the animals. offer poor services resulting in visitor dissatisfaction
and a poor destination image. In extreme cases, uncer-
tified tour guides may also endanger the life of visitors.
3.2.6 Lack of employee engagement

A key issue raised during the interviews and work- 3.2.9 Greed and huge inequalities
shops was the issue of poor customer service. Such in the industry
poor service resulted in a poor service experience for
the tourists and a poor image for the destination. Ul- It is indisputable that tourism is important in the
timately this would lead to a decline in visitors to the country and is also a major employer. The low pay in
Erongo Region. But, what are the issues underlying the industry, however, makes it difficult to attract ed-
this risk? The reasons are numerous: lack of skills to ucated and young people to the sector. The driver of
engage visitors; lack of guidelines on how to engage this risk is greed by some of the industry players who
visitors; insufficient understanding of the importance do not want to pay their workers fair wages. It is likely
of tourism to the country, poor remuneration and lack that this trend will lead to an ageing workforce in the
of engagement between employers and employees. industry and those that are capable of revolutionising
There is therefore a need to empower employees with the sector technologically will also be kept away by the
the proper skills of etiquette and to remunerate them low remuneration.
adequately.

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