Namibia Tourism Expo a hub for business

Ester Kamati



Providing a platform for businesses - especially those in the hospitality sector - to market themselves as well as sell some of their items, the Namibia Tourism Expo is known to attract a versatile crowd of visitors and exhibitors. Cars, food, snacks, communication specialists and musicians can all be found at the expo.

Fabian Martens, the CEO of Osh-Med International, a service and training provider for occupational safety, health, emergency and medical care, has been a loyal attendee because the event allows him to share information about the work they do as well as the programmes they offer.

He said that they launched one of their undertakings at the expo a few years ago, a watch which has a panic button and can send your GPS coordinates to a relevant expert in an emergency.



Something sweet

New to the expo is Namib Belgium Chocolatier, who handcraft Belgium chocolate into sweet treats.

Malan van den Berg, who works with three other chocolatiers, shared that the team usually showcases at the Inspire Market in Windhoek on Saturdays.

Interviewed just before the expo started, Van Den Berg said accommodation facilities also exhibiting at the expo had already shown a lot of interest in their products.



Something spicy

Also spotted at the expo is the team who won the 2018 Nedbank Kapana cook-off, who have been attracting a lot of attention with their tender and spicy barbecue, a local delicacy - kapana.

They have made an impact with their signature green trailer courtesy of Nedbank, and are easily recognisable.

Mocks Mbako, who is part of the team, said they are glad to receive support from expo attendees.



Wanderlust

The expo will also see a lot of information sharing taking place, with both public and private establishments catered for.

The annual town of the year competition, which was this year won by Oranjemund, brings together municipalities from towns across the country to share what each town has to offer and what makes them worth visiting.

Gondwana is also making its presence known at the expo, where team members will be able to assist with bookings, travel information as well as discounts and special deals they are offering eager travellers.



For the techies

Telecom Namibia is represented at the expo by Irma Ndjuluwa, who shared information about the internet packages they offer.

They have a special package for students, which costs only N$800, she said.



Ploughing back

Meanwhile, at the official opening of the expo on Wednesday, the CEO of Namibia Media Holdings (NMH), Albe Botha, said the event represents the company's commitment to serve the country and assist government in the development of tourism.

NMH, with the help of partners Vivo Energy, First National Bank and Namibia Breweries Limited, will be giving away vouchers to the tune of N$1 million to attendees to plough back into the industry.

Botha said that it was difficult for companies to commit this year due to tight finances, but commended those who have come on board.



More needs to be done

Tourism minister Po­ham­ba Shifeta, who has been a partner to the expo for years, opened Wednesday's ceremony by saying that more needs to be done in a coordinated manner to get businesses and tourism up and running again. The expo is only the beginning, he said.

“There is truly so much offered to be enjoyed on this platform and I strongly recommend you all to consider taking up these offers.”