Tourism is a job creator
In formally announcing the Responsible Tourism Awards' finalists, Namibia Media Holdings CEO Albe Botha, reiterated the importance of the industry and the local role players.
The finalists in the prestigious annual Responsible Tourism Awards (RTA) were formally announced yesterday.
At a media event hosted by the sponsor of the awards, Namibia Media Holdings (NMH), company CEO Albe Botha emphasised the importance of the awards and of tourism in Namibia.
According to Botha, “Tourism is one of the sustainable ways to create jobs in Namibia and the sector will not stand the test of time if Namibians are not part of it.”
The winner of the Responsible Tourism Award is determined according to the criteria of Eco Awards Namibia and this year the focus is on safe travel which is also the theme of the 2017 Namibia Tourism Expo.
In total, nine entries were received for the award and the four finalists are Gondwana Etosha Safari Lodge in the Oshikoto Region, Jackalberry Lodge in the Zambezi Region, Ongava Tented Lodge in the Oshikoto Region and Wilderness Safari Hoanib Skeleton Coast in Kunene Region.
The public relations officer of NMH, Maggy Mbako, said that NMH will be investing prizes worth N$500 000 in the tourism sector.
Mbako sketched a brief background of the RTA which was introduced last year and also introduced the new look of the Tourismus which is now a glossy magazine. The Tourismus has been published since 2000.
Meanwhile Bornventure Mbidzo from the Namibian Tourism Board said responsible tourism is happening across the world.
“The world does not need us. We need the world. We need to take responsible actions to preserve the world.”
He said that the finalists in the awards are not there by accident, but because of their unique offering to the market.
“Yesteryear tourists were going to destinations just to enjoy the place without sustaining or considering the environment, but now they are considering responsible tourism and this is what makes Namibia unique.”
He said the theme of the Tourism Expo has a certain flare to change things for the better and to preserve the environment for future generations.
Opened in August 2014, the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is a beautiful camp in a very remote location. Built close to the Hoanib River, in northern Kunene Region, it is surrounded by gravel plains, mountains and large sand dunes. It is a finalist for the RTA 2017.
The camp is situated in a private concession area which straddles the Palmwag area and Skeleton Coast National Park consisting of eight tents looking down onto the southern bank of the Hoanib, as well as a waterhole that is frequented by various species of desert wildlife.
Activities offered include morning, afternoon, or full-day game drives which offer the best opportunity to see desert-adapted lions and elephants as well as other wildlife such as oryx, springbok, giraffe and brown hyaenas.
For guests who want to be closer to nature, nature walks from the camp offer the perfect chance to study some of the interesting plant life and smaller animals.
Because of the extremely sensitive ecosystem in which Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is situated, it has been built to minimise its impact on the environment. All the camp's electricity needs are provided through solar power.
The Hoanib Research Centre located at the camp also provides opportunities for guests to interact with and have presentations from the researchers on their latest studies.
The Hoanib Camp is only accessible by light aircraft transfer from Doro Nawas. Travellers on self-drive through Namibia will need to park their vehicle at Doro Nawas and then fly to Hoanib.
ELLANIE SMIT
At a media event hosted by the sponsor of the awards, Namibia Media Holdings (NMH), company CEO Albe Botha emphasised the importance of the awards and of tourism in Namibia.
According to Botha, “Tourism is one of the sustainable ways to create jobs in Namibia and the sector will not stand the test of time if Namibians are not part of it.”
The winner of the Responsible Tourism Award is determined according to the criteria of Eco Awards Namibia and this year the focus is on safe travel which is also the theme of the 2017 Namibia Tourism Expo.
In total, nine entries were received for the award and the four finalists are Gondwana Etosha Safari Lodge in the Oshikoto Region, Jackalberry Lodge in the Zambezi Region, Ongava Tented Lodge in the Oshikoto Region and Wilderness Safari Hoanib Skeleton Coast in Kunene Region.
The public relations officer of NMH, Maggy Mbako, said that NMH will be investing prizes worth N$500 000 in the tourism sector.
Mbako sketched a brief background of the RTA which was introduced last year and also introduced the new look of the Tourismus which is now a glossy magazine. The Tourismus has been published since 2000.
Meanwhile Bornventure Mbidzo from the Namibian Tourism Board said responsible tourism is happening across the world.
“The world does not need us. We need the world. We need to take responsible actions to preserve the world.”
He said that the finalists in the awards are not there by accident, but because of their unique offering to the market.
“Yesteryear tourists were going to destinations just to enjoy the place without sustaining or considering the environment, but now they are considering responsible tourism and this is what makes Namibia unique.”
He said the theme of the Tourism Expo has a certain flare to change things for the better and to preserve the environment for future generations.
Opened in August 2014, the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is a beautiful camp in a very remote location. Built close to the Hoanib River, in northern Kunene Region, it is surrounded by gravel plains, mountains and large sand dunes. It is a finalist for the RTA 2017.
The camp is situated in a private concession area which straddles the Palmwag area and Skeleton Coast National Park consisting of eight tents looking down onto the southern bank of the Hoanib, as well as a waterhole that is frequented by various species of desert wildlife.
Activities offered include morning, afternoon, or full-day game drives which offer the best opportunity to see desert-adapted lions and elephants as well as other wildlife such as oryx, springbok, giraffe and brown hyaenas.
For guests who want to be closer to nature, nature walks from the camp offer the perfect chance to study some of the interesting plant life and smaller animals.
Because of the extremely sensitive ecosystem in which Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is situated, it has been built to minimise its impact on the environment. All the camp's electricity needs are provided through solar power.
The Hoanib Research Centre located at the camp also provides opportunities for guests to interact with and have presentations from the researchers on their latest studies.
The Hoanib Camp is only accessible by light aircraft transfer from Doro Nawas. Travellers on self-drive through Namibia will need to park their vehicle at Doro Nawas and then fly to Hoanib.
ELLANIE SMIT
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article