Shifeta's sleepless nights

The poor condition of roads in some national parks, which has been giving tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta “sleepless nights”, is being addressed and is expected to be sorted out within the next two months.

The tourism industry has over the past few months raised concerns over the poor condition of roads, especially in the Etosha and Naukluft national parks.

Shifeta said it does not make sense that the country's national roads are good, but the roads where tourists travel remain poor.

“I have been having sleepless nights about the poor conditions of some roads in parks,” Shifeta said.

According to acting tourism ministry permanent secretary, Teofilus Nghitila, graders are already busy on Etosha's roads.

This includes the road from Okaukuejo to Halali, the one from Halali to Namutoni and the detours to Etosha's water holes.

Nghitila said the road to Etosha's Dolomite Camp remains the biggest challenge.

“Meetings with stakeholders will therefore take place and within the next two months it will be a different picture.”

Shifeta said the ministry cannot increase park fees if road conditions are poor.

He said a request has therefore been made to the finance ministry that park fees be turned over to the tourism ministry for the maintenance of park infrastructure, especially roads.

“Park fees currently go to the fiscus. Drastic steps must be taken and money collected in parks must come back to the tourism ministry to maintain infrastructure.”

Shifeta said if this is not done, infrastructure will deteriorate further.

He also said the road to the Naukluft National Park is in a very poor state and consultations have taken place with the works ministry about the maintenance of the road.



Service and safety

Shifeta said that Namibia has to ensure the safety and security of its visitors and provide them with good customer service, if the country does not want to lose tourists.

He said the country needs to work on treating visitors with more warmth and hospitability.

According to him, every 13 tourists to Namibia create one job, and therefore it is important that tourists are taken care of and provided with security and good customer service.

He said visitors do not only come to Namibia because it is a good destination, they also want to experience leisure.

“They therefore do not want more stress when they are on holiday, especially at border points which is the first impression that they get of the Namibia.”

Shifeta therefore said Namibia needs to take action against those that harass tourists.

“All of us need to make tourists feel welcome and provide them with maximum security.”

He applauded the police for its tourism unit, which ensures the protection and safety of tourists in the country, but added that all Namibians need to contribute to their safety.

“It is not bad in Namibia, but we do not want to lose any tourists because they are harassed.”

According to Shifeta a new trend has emerged where criminals are going to airports to spot tourists. They then follow them from the airport, with the aim of robbing them.

Shifeta said that tourism establishments must also be on the lookout for this, because criminals also stay close to these tourists, waiting for an opportunity to rob them.

“The industry has to understand when a person is not staying for the purpose of visiting, but has other intentions.”