Namibia: Swartbooi Calls for People-Centred Tourism

THE Karas governor Bernadus Swartbooi has called on the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) to develop a people-centred brand of tourism.

"Tourism based on scenery and sites cannot transform the lives of people," said Swartbooi, unless those benefiting from "exporting sites and scenery" pay royalties to benefit locals living near the sites.

Swartbooi made the remarks at the //Karas region domestic tourism DVD launch at Keetmanshoop on Friday.

Saying the present tourism in the country based on exporting of sites and scenes which he termed as "dead tourism" is the "largest misrepresentation of the economy sidelining the ability of locals".

Swartbooi added: "These are the injustices of tourism in this country."

The governor also warned against importing Euro-based tourism concepts, asking whether tourism routes designed by Europeans "enhance the global understanding" of the Namibian people.

"Eco-tourism concepts come from countries which have messed up. Be careful to import these concepts," Swartbooi cautioned.

Speaking at the same event, NTB chief executive officer Digu //Naobeb said for too long domestic tourism has been looked down upon as a second-class tourism market.

"That is just wrong. Tourism is a fiercely competitive market, requiring skills, talent and private enterprises, with government as the facilitator. It is fundamental to the rebuilding and rebalancing of our economy," //Naobeb said.

He said NTA has produced DVDs to all 14 regions so that locals can know more about their country with the aim of stimulating local travel.

 

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Namibia: Swartbooi Calls for People-Centred Tourism