Tourism tackles littering

Role players in the tourism industry will join hands next year in support of a cleaner Namibia.This follows just days after tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta again addressed the culture of littering by Namibians and called for a cleaner country and capital. Shifeta specifically mentioned that although there are rules against littering in national parks this problem is continuing and that people do not even feel shame when throwing their rubbish out of cars. “The culture of litter is very primitive and it is an eyesore. Let us have Namibia back the way it was and Windhoek again rated as one of the cleanest cities in Africa,” he said.The Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN), Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations, Eco Awards Alliance and Recycle Namibia Forum (RNF) recently met to develop an initiative which is to run under the motto, 'Joining hands and linking brands for a cleaner Namibia in 2018'. HAN, Eco Awards and RNF have also committed to focus their attention, plans and activities to increase awareness about the need to reduce waste, re-use and recycle. The institutions will also encourage all their members and partners to join hands in ensuring a cleaner Namibia. According to the institutions, the marketing of Namibia as a land of untouched beauty had been used effectively to attract visitors to the country. “Unfortunately, fast life, consumerism and convenience have caught up with this remote part of the world too, with residents and visitors leaving tracks of waste behind where many years ago unspoilt nature ruled.” In addition to clean-up campaigns the entire tourism industry should ideally contribute towards reducing waste accumulating at destinations such as Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei and the Fish River Canyon, the institutions said. An action plan has been developed to reduce waste and this includes encouraging the production and use of re-usable bottles, setting up recycling and waste collection centres at strategic places, such as the entry gates to national parks, and engaging with suppliers on transport opportunities of waste material. They also aim to foster a “take along only to re-use or to dispose of correctly” attitude amongst staff and guests and highlight all good practices in waste management already in place in Namibia. “HAN, Eco Awards and RNF jointly have a wide enough database to get word out and to call for input, buy-in and assistance and to encourage all of them to dedicate 2018 towards a cleaner Namibia.” ELLANIE SMIT

Tourism tackles littering

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-07

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Tourism tackles littering

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-07

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