The recent AVIADEV conference, hosted in Namibia, has been a remarkable success, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees. The event, spanning three days, saw a significant increase in attendance, with numerous decision-makers present. Bonnie Mbidzo, the Acting CEO of the Namibia Tourism Board, reflected on the conference, stating, “The past three days have been brilliant for this country.”
One of the key highlights of the conference was the exploration of the synergy between aviation and tourism in Namibia. Mbidzo emphasized the importance of fostering these relationships, particularly with aviation partners both within and outside Namibia.
“We still need to nurture the relationships which have been already created today and yesterday and the day before, so that we make sure that that relationship bears fruits,” he said.
Namibia, known for being a long-haul destination, faces challenges related to travel costs. Mbidzo acknowledged this, noting,
“Namibia is a long haul destination. By nature, it becomes very expensive for any ticket whether you are from Asia or from Europe.”
The conference, however, brought hope as it introduced more players into the market, potentially leading to reduced travel costs. “If we have got more airlines coming to Namibia, the destination becomes much cheaper,” he added.
He emphasized their readiness to assist, offering specific measures to attract airlines to Namibia. He said,
“ As Namibia Tourism Board and any other partner, we are prepared to support with marketing support to any of the airlines who are willing to come to Namibia. And this has been done in other destinations. So going forward, the Namibia Tourism Board is ready to assist with the marketing support to any airline which is willing to come to Namibia at any given time”.
In summing up the conference, Mbidzo enthusiastically described it as, “AviaDev is the best.”
AviaDev Africa, the premier aviation development conference for Africa, is heading to Zanzibar in 2025. The prestigious event will be jointly hosted by the Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA) and the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT), marking a significant milestone in the region’s aviation industry.
