Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta has urged the youth of Africa and all tourism industry players to collaborate and form partnerships to place the “Africa Brands or Destinations” at the center stage of the Global dialogue.
Shifeta said this yesterday at the fifth Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge and Summit in Swakopmund under the theme “Developing Youth and innovative entrepreneurship solution for inclusive tourism recovery in Africa.”
“I urge the youth of Africa and all industry players to collaborate and form partnerships to place the “Africa Brands or Destinations” at the center stage of the Global dialogue, displaying and expressing the love and warmth of the African people, our diverse culture, abundant wildlife, natural beauty and scenery, organic food and rich history of the Continent in your engagements with friends across the globe,” he said.
He added that the youth should maintain that they are genuine and sincere representatives of change in African society and the travel and tourism industries, imploring them to embrace innovation, digital disruption, and their potential in order to succeed in the tourism industry.
“Being creative and innovative yields a valuable asset and businesses which is required to enhance economic and human capital development that will contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in your respective countries. I, furthermore, urge you all to embrace innovation, digital disruptive change and harness your potential to succeed in the tourism sector. Your participation at this summit is of utmost crucial and surely indicates your passion and love for the industry,” added Shifeta.
Last year, Namibia hosted the fourth edition of the summit in Windhoek in collaboration with Africa Tourism Partners South Africa and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.
The summit is open to all interested youths, start-ups and professionals in the tourism, travel, hospitality, aviation and technology sectors and other related industries.
According to Shifeta, the summit aims to align and shape governmental policies, introduce strategies, and adopt innovative technologies that support the expansion and growth of Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), tourism, financing, and market access for young entrepreneurs.
Additionally, it calls for the industry to introduce innovative entrepreneurship solutions for inclusive tourism recovery in Africa in the travel and tourism, hospitality, aviation, and many other sectors or across the sector’s economic ecosystem.
The summit further aims to promote a strong innovation culture among the youth, The Minister added.
Speaking at the opening ceremony Governor of the Erongo region, Neville Andre said the region continues to support tourism as one of the industries with the potential to enhance and accelerate overall economic development, create job opportunities, and help vulnerable communities fight poverty.
“The Erongo region is abundantly endowed and blessed with natural tourist attractions such as Dune 7, Sandwich Harbour, Welwitschia Plains, clean, beautiful and long Atlantic Coastline and the Namib Desert, Cape Cross Seal Reserve, Dead sea and the wider skeleton coastline amongst others which are amongst the most visited tourist sites in Namibia. The region is home to two national parks, namely Dorob and Namib Naukluft Park,” said Andre.
He added that Swakopmund is fast becoming the business and incentive travel hub of Southern Africa.
“As Namibia’s most sought-after holiday destination Swakopmund, has in recent years become the main tourist hub of the country, No longer the sleepy village at the edge of the cold misty coastline. The recently completed Walvis Bay International airport just 40 minutes’ drive away, makes travel direct to Swakopmund quicker and easier than ever before. Swakopmund tourism has everything for people looking for a comfortable and memorable stay. From magnificent structures to an amazing town promenade,” he added.
