The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) is leading a comprehensive campaign aimed at improving connectivity and expanding into diverse markets, with the goal of transforming the country’s tourism sector through collaboration and innovation. This strategic vision was disclosed by Acting CEO of the Organization Bonnie Mbidzo in an interview with VoyagesAfriq.
He stated: “Traditionally, the German market has been a cornerstone of our tourism industry, given our historical ties with Germany. However, as we assess the broader travel trade landscape, our focus is not only on maintaining but also on expanding our reach.
“While Germany remains significant, we are actively pursuing growth opportunities in emerging markets within Europe. Our engagement with the trade reflects a strategic shift towards diversification, with a keen emphasis on investing in markets such as French-speaking and Italian-speaking regions. It’s all about offering a more diversified product to cater to the evolving preferences of travelers.”
Bonnie emphasized that at the core of NTB’s strategy lies the optimization of air access and connectivity, which stands as a pivotal factor in propelling tourism growth.
“We have received confirmation that Qatar will resume flights in August, after initially announcing plans for July. Unfortunately, the initial announcement didn’t come from Qatar itself, and we extend our apologies to those affected,” he said.
“With the upcoming AviaDev conference in June, the issue of air connectivity is at the forefront of our minds. Without adequate airlift, connectivity within Africa remains a distant dream. We are committed to turning these aspirations into reality; we want action, not just dreams.”
Expanding on the upcoming AviaDev Conference, the Acting CEO of NTB highlighted Namibia’s dedication to active participation and meaningful contribution to the event.
He stated: “With AviaDev, the Namibian Tourism Board is poised to reap significant benefits as we step into our role as a partner alongside other stakeholders. Our aim is not just to participate, but to actively contribute to ensuring the success of the conference in Windhoek. We are committed to this endeavor and will be signing a memorandum of understanding with the main partners on Tuesday, March 12th. This underscores our dedication to being more than just a role player; we strive to be equal partners involved in decision-making processes.”
As the Acting CEO, Bonnie expressed his commitment to building a strong and trained team as well as promoting domestic tourism.
“My predecessors have already created the platform and the foundation upon which I am building. As an acting CEO, I need to ensure that we have a focused and highly qualified team. That’s why we’re bringing in people who understand the market,” he reiterated.
“Regarding domestic tourism, we are already engaged, and our partners in the private sector have offered discounted rates to entice travelers to experience Namibia.”
