Redevelopment at Gross-Barmen announced (02.03.2011) Situated about 100 km
north-west of Windhoek off the B1, the Gross-Barmen Hot Springs Resort was
traditionally a popular weekend destination. read more >
Namibian coast under total conservation (01.03.2011) The entire Namibian coast
was placed under conservation when the Dorob National Park was proclaimed in
December 2010 read more >
Namibia a global environmental leader (17.01.2011)
Global Environmental Lead-ers converged in Nagoya, Japan in October for a landmark 10th Conference of the Parties (COP–10) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
Venture’s Marita receives highest journalism award (17.01.2011)
In October, Venture Publi-cations’ in-house journalist, Marita van Rooyen, was awarded the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Namibia’s Print Journalist of the Year. At the same event she was also awarded two first prizes and a third prize for print media.
NTB launches new website (17.01.2011)
The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) launched the first phase of its new website on 28 October after receiving funding from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) through the Millennium Challenge Account Namibia (MCA Namibia).
Training for SMEs (17.01.2011)
The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), in collaboration with the Centre for Entrepreneurship at the University of Witwatersrand (WITS) Business School, launched a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) entrepreneurship-training programme in October.
Tourism Minister challenges Namibia’s youth (17.01.2011)
Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Environment and Tourism challenges Namibia’s youth to become more interested in the country’s history and to undergo training as tour guides.
Joint ventures are also business entities (17.01.2011)
“Tourism is every-one’s business. Although we can each do a lot on our own, together we can do more,” said Olga Katjiuongua, Deputy Director of Tourism in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism du-ring the two-day Joint Venture (JV) Tourism Workshop that took place on 14 and 15 October outside Windhoek.
Tour and Travel Biz: The holistic solution (17.01.2011)
In the technological age in which we live, we need to upgrade our services and software consistently. As an answer to the ever-growing demand, Werner de Hilster launched his innovative company in December 2009, with the message that computer software and marketing need to be integrated into one package.
HAN NEWS : Focus on tourism beyond 2010 (17.01.2011)
One major achievement of the Namibian tourism industry during 2010 is that finally, after many years of motivation, initiatives and debates, there at last seems to be NATIONAL FOCUS on this dynamic industry.
Sperrgebiet : Old mining towns and Bogenfels arch (17.01.2011)
The desert around Lüderitz is steeped in mining history. Tales of diamond smuggling and intrigue abound, and the sands cover and uncover remnants of the lives of those intrepid folk who ventured into this remote arid region to live in the small mining towns scattered amongst the gravel plains of the Namib Desert.
Community Tourism Brochure launched at WTM (04.11.2010)
"Travelling through a country like Namibia with its small population, vast expanses of pristine countryside and good infrastructure is a real privilege. It’s a journey of a lifetime, full of unusual and interesting experiences..."
“Local Tourism is Nawa!” Campaign (04.11.2010)
The Domestic Tourism Expenditure Survey conducted in 2007 indicates that 28.3% of trips were generated by rural areas...
Namibia celebrates World Tourism Day (04.11.2010)
“Tourism has become a catalyst for rural development, poverty alleviation, empowerment of previously disadvantaged Namibians and the overall economic development of the country..."
Air Namibia suspends coastal routes (04.11.2010)
Air Namibia has announced changes to its flight schedule, affecting the coastal towns of Lüderitz and Oranjemund...
Zero tolerance for poaching says Minister at MET Awards evening (04.11.2010)
“Poach a rhino in Namibia, and the blood of the people will be on your hands. You will not be poaching a state rhino, but will be stealing from our people, depriving whole communities of a livelihood..."
Wild mobile safaris (04.11.2010)
While Karibu Safari Namibia’s number one priority is Namibia, the company also conducts mobile tours to Botswana and is slowly moving into Zambia and ‘some of Southern Africa’s last true wildernesses’.
Fish River Viewpoint launched (04.11.2010)
Minister of Environment and Tourism, Netumbo Nandi- Ndaitwah, officially launched the new Fish River Canyon Viewpoint in October...
Boutique-style travelling (04.11.2010)
As elsewhere in the world, participants in the tourist industry in Namibia attempt to find a niche in the market; something they excel in and that is a specific and special service they are able to offer visitors...
Minister awarded (25.09.2010)
Namibia’s Tourism Minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, is the recipient of the prestigious annual First National Bank (FNB) Tourism Personality Award for 2010..
Namibia Pavilion draws crowds (25.09.2010)
At the Shanghai World Expo 2010, Namibia’s participation in the joint Africa Pavilion has been an exceptional one.
Wilderness Safaris BEE deal (25.09.2010)
As part of its vision of creating partnerships for sustainable development and conservation in Namibia, Wilderness Safaris have announced the finalisation and approval of a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) deal.
Travel professionals discover Namibia (25.09.2010)
Under the name Namibia Academy, the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) in Frankfurt organised the first-ever training and information educational to Namibia with participants from across Europe attending...
Rhino tracking in Gondwana Cañon Park (25.09.2010)
Working with the same idea, the Rhino Custodianship Programme of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) is directed at increasing the populations of once-threatened species by resettling black rhino on land where they were once found, such as freehold farms, private parks and communal conservancies.
Tourism gains from MCA project (01.06.2010)
A total amount of US$304.47 million has been made available to certain government ministries and institutions during the current five-year term of the Millennium Challenge Account for Namibia (MCA-N) contract.
20 years after independence (01.06.2010) Tourism will continue to bring home the bacon
“Without accurate statistics collected and analysed in a timely manner, we will be unable to capitalise on opportunities, identify possibilities and beat the competition.”
School kids discover tourism (01.06.2010)
Tourism and hospitality – to many young Namibians these concepts are still strange. In an effort to make ‘Tourism everyone’s business’, a joint effort between the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN), Tour and Safari Association (TASA), First National Bank (FNB), and City of Windhoek (CoW) brought tourism closer to about 30 Grade 9 scholars of Concordia College.
NTB prepared for World Cup (01.05.2010)
During March, the NTB hosted a media event to supply the tourism sector with updates and progress made on WC2010 marketing initiatives.
Accommodation establishments to be graded (01.05.2010)
Namibian tourism accommodation will soon be graded according to the VisitScotland Quality Assurance Scheme.
Namibia in Scandinavia (01.04.2010)
The Matka Nordic Travel Fair, which is held annually in Helsinki, Finland, is universally recognised as a leading travel-industry event.
Showcasing Namibia to the Italians (01.03.2010)
NTB Rome, Air Namibia and Sense of Africa hosted a group of Italian tour operators in Namibia from 19–27 January 2010, showcasing the Kalahari, Etosha, Waterberg, Swakopmund and Sossusvlei. The trip targeted decision-makers of leading Italian outbound tour operators selling the destination but who had not been to the destination before or who were in the process of developing their Namibia portfolio.
NTB New Integrated Website (01.03.2010)
Through the Millennium Challenge Account, MMG Worldwide, a US-based marketing communications firm working exclusively with premier travel, hospitality and entertainment companies, has been appointed to develop a fully integrated website for the NTB.
Hilton Worldwide comes to Namibia (01.03.2010)
The international five-star hotel brand, Hilton Worldwide, will open its first Namibian hotel before the end of this year. This will bring Hilton Worldwide one step closer to realising its goal of having a hotel in every capital city of the world.
BoBo Campers and Tourism Holdings Rental SA (01.03.2010) The face behind the business
When Willemina (Wil) Bouwers first came to Southern Africa in 1985 on holiday from the Netherlands, she had no idea what a life-changing experience it would be. “From the first time I set foot in Southern Africa, I knew it was where I wanted to be.”
Namibia recognised as global example (01.01.2010)
The importance of ‘learning journeys’ has been officially recognised by Travel + Leisure magazine, a renowned international publication with a US circulation of close to a million, when it presented the prestigious ‘Global Vision Awards’ with the slogan ‘Here’s to those who make a difference’ to the Northern Great Plains Restoration Project of the Grassland Foundation and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
BEE upliftment drive (01.01.2010)
Five Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) companies were selected through a transparent and fair process to represent Namibia and more specifically the BEE sector internationally. The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), in partnership with Air Namibia, is conducting this pilot BEE Mini Road Show to Germany and Switzerland during November.
NCA keeps fires burning (01.01.2010)
Chefs are a vital ingredient in the tourism and social industries and are often overlooked in the important role which they play.
Museum and tourism sectors join hands (01.01.2010)
The Museum Association of Namibia (MAN) recently introduced new museum initiatives, amongst others an update on plans for the museum at the old workers’ compounds in Walvis Bay, which will focus on the history of apartheid and the migrant labour system in Namibia, and the Muyondo gwaKapande Cultural Village project.
Message from the Finnish Embassy (01.01.2010)
Dear reader of Travel News Namibia:
Although Finland and Namibia have a great deal of shared history, starting in the year 1869 when the first Finnish missionaries arrived in the country, there has not been notable tourism and travel between the two countries.
The Finnish connection with Gathemann (01.01.2010)
While in Finland during 2008, Urs Gamma, well-known Namibian chef and owner of Gathemann Restaurant, met Finnish chef, Gero Hottinger of the Helsinki Culinary Institute, and invited him to Namibia. During Finnish week, which was held in April 2009, Gero taught the chefs at Gathemann the true cuisine of his home country, while learning typical Namibian dishes in exchange. “Such an exchange of different cuisines is important and should be fostered,” said Gero. In an effort to boost trade between Namibia and Finland, the Ministers of Trade and Industry and Environment and Industry invited a number of Finnish business delegates to Namibia. (MvR)
MATKA Nordic Travel Fair 2010 (01.01.2010) Travel as a preserver of culture
“Although Namibia is a country that is not really known in Scandinavia except for the past political ties we share with Finland and Sweden, we are optimistic that with regular attendance and promotion at MATKA, Namibia will slowly become known and more and more Finns and other Scandinavians will consider Namibia as a potential holiday destination,” says Puye Hilokuah of Okaume Travel.
Sweden meets Namibia (01.01.2010)
Africa is the latest exciting destination on the Scandinavian traveller’s list, and Namibia – being one of those magical places where the desert meets the ocean and elephants secretly appear without a sound – is becoming more popular by the day. But we need to work on our marketing, because Namibia won’t sell itself.
Western entrance gate and new NWR lodge for Etosha planned (01.11.2009)
A fourth public entrance gate into the Etosha National Park will open up the western section of the park for the public for the first time and a fifth NWR lodge will be developed in the area to provide for an expected increase in the number of visitors. Currently the 22 000-km2 park provides only 482 beds.
Mola-Mola Safaris (01.11.2009) Well-known company sold to new owners
Over the past 15 years, Mola-Mola initiators, Neels and Megan Dreyer, have built Mola-Mola from scratch to the booming company it is today. Mola-Mola is now owned by Pieter and Marinda Pretorius, who are no strangers in the tourism sector. The Pretorius’s also own !Uris Safari Lodge, just outside Tsumeb, and although they have taken on a big job with Mola-Mola Safaris, Megan and Neels are confident that they will continue to keep the company’s name high. The Dreyers still retain a small share of the business, but are no longer involved in its day-to-day running, or ‘answering the telephone’, as Megan puts it. The Dreyers are also still part-time owners, with their son and daughter-in-law of Sandwich Harbour 4x4, which keeps them connected to the industry.
Swakop Hotel renovations (01.11.2009)
The Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre is undergoing refurbishments and renovations and will have new splendour by the end of 2009.
Protea Hotels opens lodge near Sossusvlei (01.11.2009)
United African Hospitality recently announced the opening of the 13th property in the Protea Hotels portfolio before the end of 2009.
/Ai-/Ais Hot Springs Spa (01.11.2009) A new promise fulfilled
/Ai-/Ais Hot Springs Spa was re-opened to the public in August. The NWR facility, situated at the southern end of the world-renowned Fish River Canyon (distinguished as the second-largest canyon in the world), had been closed for much-needed infrastructural changes. The facility is set inside the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park – an area that flanks the Orange River on both sides, embraces two nationalities, covers two deserts and enjoys world acclaim for its rich plant diversity.
Kempinski Mokuti Lodge (01.11.2009) Blending European hospitality with local flair
As the amber-red sun sinks into a dry blonde eastern Etosha landscape, steenbok and dik-dik graze on the verges of the golden light; and the road winds its way into the impressive high-roofed thatched entrance of the Kempinski Mokuti Lodge.
/Ai /Ais is open for visitors! (01.09.2009) One of Namibia’s
best-known tourist destinations is operational again after almost two years of
extensive renovations, upgrading and redevelopment. In future it will be
marketed as the /Ai /Ais Hot Springs Spa, part of Namibia Wildlife Resorts’
portfolio of facilities located inside national parks.
National tourism policy is in place (01.09.2009) It took years to
finalise, but the policy that will bring about ‘prudent conduct in the tourism
sector and provide a course in an administrative system in the management of
tourism activities’ is finally launched. read more >
KAZA a reality in April 2010 (01.09.2009) A transfrontier
park that will bind Namibia to her four northern neighbours, forming one of the
largest conservation areas in the world, is expected to be a reality in April
2010 when Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Angola sign the final
agreement for KAZA. read more >
Boundless Southern Africa Expedition (01.09.2009) Promoting TFCAs in time for 2010
A Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) is defined as an area straddling two or more international borders where the natural and cultural resources are collaboratively managed by the governments or authorities involved.
Safari Court opens Wellness Centre and Spa (01.09.2009)
During May, at the Namibia Tourism Expo, Namibia’s biggest annual tourism event, the 4-star Safari Court Hotel in Windhoek extended its services by opening the Safari Wellness Centre and Oukolele Day Spa.
MET brochures and fact sheets launch (01.09.2009)
Thirteen brochures and 22 fact sheets were launched to provide information and educate visitors to Namibia’s national parks and create awareness of the country’s scenic beauty, wildlife and cultural diversity.
HAN mentors the young (01.09.2009)
The Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) has committed itself to running two projects to increase awareness of the importance of the tourism industry among Namibians, and to strengthen the base and skills of those involved in this exciting industry.
ETEA speaks for emerging tourism enterprises (01.09.2009)
The Emerging Tourism Enterprises Association (ETEA)- was introduced to the tourism sector at this year’s Namibia Tourism Expo. ETEA was established to provide assistance and support to one another by fellow emerging tourism businesses that are faced with similar challenges to sustain their businesses and make them profitable in a highly competitive market. ETEA is a member of the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations (FENATA) and is recognised by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET).
Naua Naua Game Lodge (01.09.2009) New owners and an upgrade
In February 2009 Gecko Lodges took over Naua Naua Game Lodge bordering Etosha from Thomas and Annette Schaefer. The new owners have done extensive renovations and are planning further upgrades for next year.
Space is a luxury and at Wolwedans one finds it in abundance. Recent changes to the Dune Camp and Dunes Lodge are making the most of this space and the spectacular scenery it holds. At Dune Camp, new, larger tents are being erected, while at Dunes Lodge the changes at first appear subtler, but they are all designed to add to the comfort and satisfaction of the guest.
BüllsPort extends facilities (01.09.2009)
The accommodation facilities at BüllsPort Guest Farm were recently extended and upgraded. Bordering the Namib-Naukluft Park, BüllsPort offers the perfect setting from where to enjoy the Naukluft experience. The establishment is well known for its family-integrated farm hospitality.
HAN Mentorship Programme (20.05.2009)
As part of its commitment to the Tourism Transformation Charter designed by the Tourism Industry in 2004, the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) has launched a mentorship programme.
Karibu nominated for Good Safari Guide Awards (20.05.2009)
Leading tour operator in mobile safaris for Namibia and Botswana, Karibu Safari, has been nominated for the 2009 Good Safari Guide Awards.
New identity for Omba Arts Trust (20.05.2009)
The Namibian Omba Arts Trust recently launched its latest product – a very impressive website. “The aim with the website is to give the Trust an identity and a brand,” says volunteer craft facilitator, Candia Diggle. Operations manager Saar Maritz adds, “The website should show our partners and the public what we’re all about.”
TASA announces Corporate Membership category (20.05.2009)
The Namibian Tour and Safari Association (TASA) recently announced its new Corporate Membership category. “The development of small and medium enterprises is an important component in poverty reduction.
