Looking back: 30 Years ago in the pages of Travel News Namibia
Looking back:
30 Years ago in the pages of
Travel News Namibia
From the Winter 2023 issue
SIXTH ANNUAL CONGRESS OF THE HOTEL ASSOCIATION OF NAMIBIA HELD IN WINDHOEK:
Namibia is ranked amongst the top-five tourist destinations in the world.
One of the most pressing issues to be resolved in Namibia is the limping state of its tourist industry. Calls for a white paper on tourism to intensify the country’s excellent infrastructure and destinations were making headlines recently. The Hotels Association of Namibia (HAN) tried to identify some solutions at their annual congress this year.
In an interview with a Namibian newspaper the chairperson of the Association, Arno Janetzky said, “attitudes will have to change” if the industry wants to turn Namibia into an international tourist destination of repute.
NAMIBIA AMONGST WORLD'S TOP FIVE
A leading news magazine of Germany listed the country as one of the five most “cleanest” countries in the world – political stability, no famine and a low percentage of AIDS cases – making it a sought after international travel destination.
What stops Namibia from becoming the No. 1 travel destination of the world? According to Janetzky the lack of a clearly defined development strategy in the industry prevents it from expanding and contributing more to national income.
Interested parties both in the private as well as in the public sector will have to establish and circumscribe the market in Namibia. Focussing on market-related and specific services of international standards must become a priority for all involved, says Janetzky.
CARVERS CO-OPERATIVE GETS OWN MARKET: A DREAM COMES TRUE
The dreams of the craftsmen of the North were realised in May this year when the Minister for Trade and Industry, Hidipo Hamutenya, officially opened the new craft centre in Okahandja. The dashing new wood-and-thatch centre on Okahandia’s main road is the brainchild of the Namibia Mbangura Woodcarving Co-operative and was made possible with the help of the French development organisation, CRIAA, Trans-Namib, Okahandja Municipality and general coordination by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
“Our people have the talents and capabilities, but they have to be encouraged in order to better the product and eventually export Namibia’s special brand of carving”, the minister said at the opening ceremony. He pledged the support of his Ministry for further training of the carvers in business matters and technical know-how.
The Mbangura Woodcarvers Market is still open in Okahandja – 30 years later!
NAMIBIA’S NEWEST AND MOST EXCLUSIVE - ONGAVA LODGE
Namibia’s newest and most exclusive game ranch, Ongava Lodge, is situated near the southern gate of the Etosha National Park. The Anderson Gate leads from Okaukuejo to Outjo.
The name of the Lodge derives from the local Herero language, meaning “black rhino”.
The main lodge, completed at R6 million, accommodates a maximum of 20 guests in free standing twin-bedded units with en suite facilities and air conditioning; combining five star luxury with untouched bushveld.
The Lodge is situated on the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve, covering some thirty three thousand hectares of pristine savannah and bushveld. The Reserve is in the process of being restocked, already boasting some 27 different species of wild African animals.
The Reserve also sports a comfortable tented bush camp, with luxurious linened beds, as well as a trail camp, constructed with Himba-type huts. The huts, comfortably furnished, add to the many different bush experiences on offer at Ongava.
Guests at Ongava will be able to go on nature drives, by day or night, in open vehicles under the guidance of experienced naturalists.
Nature walks and visits to the Etosha National Park are also on the cards. Riding alongside the vast herds of game on horseback promises to be an unforgettable experience made possible through the horseback trails, also on offer at the Lodge. TNN
Read more about Ongava 30 years down the road:
30 years of putting Nature First at Ongava
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
More to explore
Read the Winter issue
