One of the stalwarts of the
Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) office in Frankfurt, Andrea Herma, has resigned
with immediate effect. Dedicated to promoting Namibia across Europe and
striving to make NTB Frankfurt one of the most professional tourism offices in
Europe, Herma executed her tasks on a professional level, and was regarded by
the industry as one of Namibia’s best tourism ambassadors. She will be moving
back to Namibia.
African Wanderer expands
The tour-operating company
African Wanderer spread its wings in 2010. It not only launched a brand-new
website in English and Italian, but also expanded its product to include 15
countries in Southern and East Africa. The expansion was part of an initiative
to satisfy customer demand. Apart from Namibia, other countries in the
portfolio are Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, South
Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Madagascar, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Gabon.
African Wanderer has offices in Windhoek and Verona, Italy. The team at African
Wanderer works on a 24-hour response basis to all requests and queries. The
company was launched in 1999 in Windhoek.
www.africanwanderer.com
Unique Tours & Safarisrevamps website
Unique
Tours and Safaris opened its doors in November 2009 and completely revamped its
website in 2010 to offer its guests additional information on its services.
Guests can now read more about the philosophy of Unique Tours and its
itineraries, and gain information on sightseeing spots and accommodation
establishments. Owner Heike Elmering plans tailor-made safaris, guided or for
self-drivers, through Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe with the
emphasis on cross-border tours to Namaqualand and Botswana’s game reserves. She
believes that involving- her guests in the planning is most important. Heike
recommends that guests take their time, since distances- in Namibia are long.
www.unique-tours-safaris.com
Dr Aupindi
resigns
Olavi Hamweli, Senior
Manager for Human Capital, was appointed as Acting Managing Director of Namibia
Wildlife Resorts (NWR) following the departure of Dr Tobie Aupindi on 31
December. As a result of the holiday break, the selection process for an MD was
put on hold and Hamweli will be in charge until 30 April 2011. The NWR Board
congratulated Aupindi for his achievements during his tenure and supports his
decision to pursue other opportunities in future.
Journalists
awarded
During the annual Hospitality
Asso-ciation of Namibia (HAN) gala dinner that took place in November last
year, journalists were awarded for their hard work and dedication. Freelance
journalist Clemence Tashaya was awarded first place for the Eco Media Awards,
Journalist category. Second and third place went to Moses Magadza, also a
freelancer, and Marita van Rooyen of Venture Publications respectively. The
Namibian Desert Environment Education Trust (NaDEET) took first place in the
Media House category.
The Hospitality Association
of Namibia (HAN) voted the United Africa Group as Hospitality Entrepreneur of
the Year. Over the past ten years Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, owner of the
United Africa Group, introduced two international hotel chains in Namibia,
namely Protea Hotels and Hilton International. Owning 12 establishments in
Namibia, the group is the largest single accommodation group in the country.
Valerie Sparg, owner of Kalizo Lodge in the Caprivi, was voted 2010 Personality
of the Year, and Stephan Wacker from the Hansa Hotel in Swakopmund, Hotelier of
the Year. HAN grew from 16 members in 1987 to almost 400 in 2010.
New wheels for shuttleservice
Carlo’s
Shuttle Service has acquired a new Toyota Quantum D4D 14-seater to be used for
daily transfers. The shuttle service offers departures from Walvis Bay,
Swakopmund and Windhoek, and transfers to all airports in Namibia. Customers
are provided with -personalised, professional and -reliable services. Bookings
are essential and can be done by customers online. Pensioners receive a 50%
discount.
www.carloshuttlenamibia.com.na
Okomitundu
launchesnew website
The Okomitundu Guestfarm,
situated north-west of Windhoek, launched its new website in English and German
in 2010. The website provides information about the farm and the activities
offered. The 18 000-hectare farm offers 12 rooms, inclusive of a self-catering
and a luxury unit. Six new campsites are also available. Activities include
horse riding, hiking and farm tours. Wildlife such as wildebeest, cheetah, kudu
and gemsbok are found in the area. Okomitundu Guestfarm was awarded with the
HAN Silver Award of Excellence in 2010.
www.okomitundu.com
N/a’an ku sê clinic wins in Rome
The N/a’an ku sê Lifeline Clinic was one of the winners
in the first International Health Promotion Awards (IHPA) in December 2010 in
Rome. The awards were handed to organisations whose ideas regarding health
promotion and disease prevention have made significant contributions to
improving the lives and wellbeing of people in local communities. Finalists
evaluated from 80 global online submissions were required to present their
programmes during the IHPA Symposium. The N/a’an ku sê Lifeline Clinic project
about the San community was presented by Dr Rudie van Vuuren from N/a’an ku sê
and Chris Heunis, a pharmacist. The chosen programmes were awarded a sum of
US$5 000, which will be invested into the projects to assist the respective
organisations in their efforts. The organisers of the symposium expressed their
interest in utilising the N/a’an ku sê Charity Lodge as a conference facility
in future. Two experts in the field of telemedicine and cervical cancer are
keen to share their knowledge with Namibia next year.
