tourism – Windhoek Observer

05 Sep

Covid testing and tourism

ObserverUncategorisedCOVID, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, tourism

The hard-hit tourism sector has pushed the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to support new wording in the Covid restrictions for entering visitors. The Ministry has agreed to review the regulations regarding when the 72-hour Covid-free test must be done for tourists. It seems the current language regarding entry restrictions for tourists that is applicable until 15 September says arriving tourists must present a test result that is no older than 72 hours from the date the test was taken. The tourism industry in Namibia appears to want the rule’s language adjusted to say that an acceptable test result must…

10 Jul

Tourism vs potential health risk

ObserverNational Newshealth risk, State of Emergency, tourism

The state of emergency has ripped the rug from under the global tourism industry, including Namibia. The industry went toe-to-toe with Tyson Fury (the pandemic) and has been knocked out in the first minute of the first round. It might be a mistake for the beleaguered industry to push for tourist arrivals regardless of international mandates to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The nation listened to the pleas from the hospitality, travel, and tourism sector. The nation empathizes with the industry's struggle to stay in business during this unprecedented health emergency. Recent reports about their position don’t sound good.…

26 Jun

Govt tourism plans unlikely

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, president Hage Geingob, tourism

...as Health ministry insist on 14 day quarantine Andrew Kathindi Government’s touted plan to revive the tourism industry could be dead in the water before it has gotten off the ground after it has emerged that its requirements may be too strict. This comes after President Hage Geingob announced that part of Namibia’s stage 4 regulations, government will conduct a targeted International Tourism revival initiative between 15 July to 15 August 2020, in collaboration with the tourism sector. Parts of the proposed measures include keeping tourists in a quarantine facility for two weeks at their own risk and cost, after…

20 May

Domestic travel won’t save tourism sector

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Gitta Paetzold, tourism

Andrew Kathindi Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) says domestic tourism which has been made possible following re-opening of the country in Stage 2 of the lockdown, will not save the sector. If relied upon, over half of sector could be wiped out by next year. “Domestic travel is a small ray of hope and it’s something to keep some of us busy for a while but it’s not going to save the tourism industry. If we were to rely on domestic tourism for the next year, we could see more than 50 percent of our industry closing down,” HAN Chief…

06 May

Tourism sector forecasts N$20 billion loss

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Forestry and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta, Minister of Environment, tourism

. . . as government continues to delay N$400m subsidy Andrew Kathindi Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta has said that the tourism sector could lose at least N$20 billion in anticipated revenues and fixed assets by the end of 2020 due to the global lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Namibia has received no inbound tourists since international borders of all countries were virtually closed to combat the spread of COVID-19. The Minister has told the Windhoek Observer that he believes that it is most likely that the tourism sector in Namibia will pick up only after…

23 Apr

Tourism industry dying while waiting for bailout

ObserverObserver MoneyFederation of Namibian Tourism Associations (FENATA), lockdown, Ministry of Finance, tourism

…30,000 jobs can be lost if government money does not arrive on time Staff Writer The government is yet to avail the N$400 million promised to the country’s tourism sector as a subsidy. It has been three weeks since the Finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi, made an announcement pledging the multi-million dollar bailout for the hospitality, travel and tourism sector. The funds, according to Shiimi were aimed at providing a subsidy to players in the hard-hit tourism sector. This financial support would allow them to retain jobs with the industry. Tourism has been brought to a grinding halt as a result…

31 Mar

Tourism is too big to fail . . . banks must step up in this time of crisis

ObserverNational NewsBanks, Covid-19, Namibia, tourism

The financial crisis that the country has experienced over the last three years is heightened for the tourism sector due to COVID-19. The sector is drowning right now with a lockdown and closed borders. There will be major business contractions in 2020; this is unavoidable. But, some industries are “too big to fail”. Tourism (including restaurants/cafes, professional hunting and communal conservancies) is one of them. The banks must take the lead, along with government and the private sector, to make tangible, well-considered bailout plans to save the stronger parts of the industry before it is too late. We note that…

24 Mar

Namibian tourism industry hit hard by virus

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, president Hage Geingob, tourism

Clementine Tjameya The Namibian tourism industry is experiencing an unprecedented crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The country is now in virtual lockdown following the declaration of a State of Emergency this week by President Hage Geingob. This move became necessary after two Romanian tourists entered the country two weeks ago and brought Covid-19 with them. A near comprehensive travel ban is now in effect, including restrictions on some border posts with South Africa, the country’s main trading partner. The troubles experienced by the hospitality, tourism and travel industry are due to Namibia’s pre-emptive actions to protect public health as…