FENATA offices moved The Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations (FENATA) has moved its offices to the Hidas Centre in Klein Windhoek. The new offices are on the 1st floor, at number 15. All other contact details, including postal address, fax and telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses remain the same. FENATA is the umbrella organisation that represents the interests of the private sector of the tourism industry in Namibia. Member associations of FENATA include TASA, NAPHA, TRENABA and NACOBTA. tcouncil@mweb.com.na fenata@mweb.com.na
Sossus Oasis new campsite Taleni Africa Tourism holdings has added a new facility to its portfolio: the Sossus Oasis Campsite. Situated next to the Sossus Oasis Shop, Fuel and Service Station and right in front of the entrance gate to Sesriem, the campsite offers comfortable facilities in a clean, tidy and well-kept environment. The 12 campsites are spaced out in a semi-circle to afford privacy with views. Each site has its own toilet, basin and shower, kitchen wash-up amenity, braai, lights and electricity point. Other facilities include a swimming pool and, within short walking distance, the fully stocked Sossus Oasis with take-away meals, groceries, toiletries, drinks, ice, Internet, curios, fuel, diesel and tyre workshop. The restaurant at Sossusvlei Lodge is a mere 500 metres away. www.taleni-africa.com New at Islands in Africa Deception Valley Lodge, situated on the north-eastern border of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve of Botswana, has been added to the Islands in Africa portfolio as of 1 May 2010. A phased approach has been taken, whereby Islands in Africa initiated the sales and marketing, with reservations to be accepted in due course. Other lodges in the Islands in Africa portfolio are Impalila Island Lodge, nestled close to the junction of Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe; Susuwe Island Lodge, Ntwala Island Lodge and Hobatere Lodge, all three in Namibia; and Sosa Garden Villa and Ndumo Pans Lodge, both in South Africa. www.islandsinafrica.com
Tour d’Afrique makes a difference Tour d’Afrique, one of the world’s most spectacular bicycle events, has come to a successful end in Cape Town. Over 65 riders from countries throughout the world tested their limits in the annual race and expedition down the length of Africa. The riders, who cycled about 12 000 kilometres from Cairo to Cape Town, visited Namibia during April. Through fundraising efforts of participants, Tour d’Afrique worked with the Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN) Namibia to facilitate the donation of 60 bicycles to community-based organisations. The bikes were donated to the HIV/AIDS home-based care programme from the Anglican Church in Odibo, and also to community volunteers working with the Namibian Development Trust throughout the country. The tour kicked off on 15 January and reached Cape Town on 14 May. www.tourdafrique.com Kempinski supports Earth Hour During March, Kempinski Mokuti Lodge joined the world’s largest global climate-change initiative, Earth Hour. The public areas at the lodge were illuminated only by candlelight and guests were encouraged to participate by joining the lodge team in the Marula Bar to enjoy the ambience and to mark Kempinski's responsibility towards a sustainable future. Through observing Earth Hour, awareness is created and the younger generation is educated on how to make a difference. Managed by the Kempinski Group, Kempinski Mokuti Lodge is located 2 km outside the Etosha National Park. Kempinski owns hotels and resorts in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. www.kempinski.com/mokuti
Lüderitz Nest award In March, the Lüderitz Nest Hotel received the Professional Management Review (PMR) Diamond Arrow Award for best four-star hotel in Namibia, with an admirable 4.6 out of a possible five points. Lüderitz Nest Hotel was rated by a random, national sample of CEOs, MDs, owners of companies, company directors, and senior national and local government officials. Renovations and upgrades in the foyer and restaurant at the hotel have come to an end. The restaurant received new tiles and a new coat of paint, and the buffet area was upgraded. The Nest Hotel is situated directly on Lüderitz Bay, and has its own private beach. www.pmrinet.com www.nesthotel.com
Outjo game auction About 800 animals were auctioned off at the annual Outjo Wildfees held during the last weekend of April. A total of 21 different large-game species was on offer. The auction is a popular yearly event, surpassed only by the official government game auction conducted by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Four white rhinos, five tsessebes, 19 black-faced impalas, 24 nyalas, four roans and eight sables were some of the animals offered for sale at this event. Other favourites were tsessebes and red lechwes, both rarely offered at local auctions. When these animals do become available, prices can be exorbitant.
Tourism study by FENATA FENATA has done a first-ever study in Namibia, entitled Conservancy Based Tourism Enterprises (CBTEs) in Namibia and the Business of Tourism. The goal of the study was to give a voice to concerns and to initiate productive dialogue towards actionable solutions for concerns faced by FENATA as private-sector representative body. The study points out that there is a communications divide between stakeholders working with CBTEs, private sectors and non-governmental organisations. It was furthermore concluded that there is a need to establish an independent, well-funded CBTE business management or CBTE business support centre. Copies are available at the FENATA offices or on their website. tcouncil@mweb.com.na, fenata@mweb.com.na www.fenatanam.com
Hotel Thule’s new bar The long-awaited newly refurbished sundowner bar at Hotel Thule is now officially open to guests and the public. The bar has space for 40 guests inside, while a further 30 can enjoy the fresh outside air on the terrace. A large variety of cocktails, as well as beer, wine and food, are featured on the menu. An ideal meeting place for soccer fans, the bar has two brand-new flat-screen televisions. It is open from 15:00 to 22:00 on Mondays to Saturdays and from 17:00 to 20:00 on Sundays, and is available for hire for private functions. www.thule-namibia.com Petrol card update The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has announced that the use of petrol cards will be discontinued in the near future. Instead, the public will be allowed to purchase fuel with internationally accepted debit and credit cards. A broader range of payment instruments at fuel stations provides consumers with payment choices and as such eliminates cash-based transactions in favour of a more convenient, secure and cost-effective method of payment. With the FIFA World Cup in mind, it is expected that there will be a large demand for the acceptance of debit and credit cards for fuel purchases in Namibia. Moreover, these changes also align Namibia with international best practices. Fuel retailers will have the option of whether they wish to accept debit and credit cards as a means of payment.
New GM at Big Sky Lodges Bruce Salt has joined Big Sky Lodges as general manager. Bruce was formerly involved in community conservation work with Wilderness Safaris, inter alia as one of the founders of Children in the Wilderness. After working at Wilderness for eight years, he took time off to travel, combining it with volunteer work at IPE (Institute for Ecological Research) in Brazil and Rainforest Expeditions – a community-based joint venture in South America. Big Sky Lodges operates Olive Grove Guesthouse and Erongo Wilderness Lodge, and was recently expanded with the inclusion of Etendeka Mountain Camp and the soon-to-be-built Olive Exclusive. www.OliveGrove-Namibia.com
