Namibia tourism flexes adventure muscles in the US and Canada

The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) this week kick started a major 11 day media campaign in north-America.

“Namibia provides the North American visitor the opportunity to escape stress, experience peace and freedom, sit and admire the breath-taking landscapes and reflect.” 

The Namibian delegation is on the road as part of the “Network Namibia US Road Show” programme targeting the emerging market there. Leads Major Delegation on Western U.S./Canada Media and Trade Mission,  through 21 February, 2013

Sand boarding in the Namib dunes

The US Road Show programme will provide important networking opportunities for participating Namibia tourism industry partners with more than 200 qualified travel journalists, tour operators and travel agents.

Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta is leading nearly 25 Namibian tourism representatives on the mission, including NTB staff, 12 destination tourism product members and representatives from the North American Destination Marketing (NADM) campaign.d

A key component of this North America initiative, is a partnership with the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), to maximize participation of North American travel trade and media scheduled to attend the Mission’s networking events to drive awareness and registrations leading up to the organization’s Adventure World Travel Summit in Namibia 26 – 31, October 2013.

“Experiencing our endless horizons is an adventure,” said Deputy Minister Shifeta.

The delegation will visit Denver, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Seattle and Vancouver, B.C on the Road Show.

Kite-surfing along the Namibian coast.

Scheduled networking events will engage travel trade and media contacts in each city with the diversity of the destination’s tourism product, Namibia’s pioneering land conservancy programs that are being benchmarked globally and the development of adventure tourism experiences throughout the country.  

In addition to a variety of networking events, NTB will also provide opportunities for Namibia partners to hold private business appointments — to refresh relationships with existing clients or build new ones appropriate for their specific products and services.

Denver, Colorado

The mission officially kicked of with the “Network Namibia Trade Event and Cocktail Reception” where delegates presented adventure travel and other niche product updates to more than 20 Denver-based tour operators, many members of ATTA.

To boost visitation to Namibia from the many outdoor enthusiasts who reside in ‘The Mile High City’ and the surrounding adventure playground of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, the delegation shared key destination developments to inspire adventure and other niche travel package sales and stories. 

The Greater Denver region is also a hub for the United States’ outdoor adventure media.

Fly-in Safari with African Profile Safaris.

NTB spokespeople conducted editorial appointments with Backpacker Magazine targeting North American, hiking and walking enthusiasts, AdventureTravel.About.com, Women’s Adventure and contributors to Conde Nast Traveler, Fitness, Outside and Town & Country  to penetrate this important niche with Namibia outdoor adventure story ideas.

Editorial coverage to be generated on the outset of these meetings will influence the travel decision making process of outdoor enthusiasts across the United States to choose Namibia for their next holiday.

San Francisco, California

To tap into growing consumer interest in eco-tourism and adventure travel, the delegation will host a “Namibia: Endless Horizons Media Reception” Wednesday, February 13,educating more than 30 consumer and trade journalists on the destination’s unique wildlife, landscapes, outdoor adventure opportunities and diverse local cultures. 

Delegates also will work to raise awareness and perceptions with 30 key ATTA and general tour operators at a “Network Namibia Trade Event and Cocktail Reception” on Thursday, February 14.

Santa Clara (Silicon Valley), California

Delegates will then head down to California’s famed Silicon Valley to inspire consumers to book a Namibia vacation at the popular Bay Area Travel & Adventure Show February 16 – 17, attended by more than 12,500 qualified consumers who are actively looking for vacation ideas, as well as nearly 1,000 journalists and travel buyers.

Himba women.

NTB and NADM will conduct an engaging 30-minute multi-media presentation at the show, including a special screening of “42% and counting,” a nine-minute film about Namibia’s leadership in environmental protection. Following the film, delegates will host a reception at the Namibian booth to encourage further discussions about vacation options.

Seattle, Washington

The team will share destination updates with more than 40 ATTA and general travel professionals at the “Network Namibia Trade Event and Cocktail Reception” Tuesday, February 19.The team will also conduct individual trade appointments while in this U.S. Pacific Northwest city, home to many adventure travel trade and editorial contacts.

Walking along the second largest canyon in the world – The Fish River Canyon

Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)

Delegates will then head north across the border into Canada to meet one-on-one with Vancouver-based travel trade and editorial decision makers on Wednesday, February 20.

North America currently represents 2.2 percent of Namibia’s visitation, driven by travelers from top markets such as Denver, San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver.  More than 25,000 North American travelers spent an average of 15 days within the country in 2011.

Water sports. Photo Paul Van Schalkwyk photography.

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