Open letter from the tourism industry
DISGRUNTLED TOURISM COMPANIES AND STAKEHOLDERS WRITE:
Over the past seven months, the tourism industry in Namibia has endured most of the brunt of the crisis.
Over 130 000 Namibians depend on the tourism industry in Namibia and a significant percentage of the GDP is supported by the tourism industry, with over N$15 billion injected into the economy annually.
However, currently the issues faced are more due to the regulatory issues and the lack of communication to the rest of the world when it comes to traveling to Namibia.
Airlines are cancelling due to these unclear protocols and there is no clear outline on the current regulations on where and when the tourists must be checked. One tourist already tested positive last week. There are also no guidelines for the crew members, which is causing issues with the airlines.
The land borders were closed for tourists, even those who have a 72 hour negative test.
Currently we only have tourists arriving from neighbouring countries, and to prevent them from traveling, even when the regulations are adhered to, is counter-productive and causing more harm to the industry.
Namibians returning home are forced to quarantine, even if they have the 72 hour negative test, but there is no clear guideline on how to get home/self-quarantine approval or be able to present themselves on day five after coming back to Namibia.
We need to have more transparency in the discussions around tourism, because there seems to be absolutely no particular channel used to communicate to the industry and it is causing more panic overseas with the agents and airlines.
There needs to be a very clear proclamation on tourism revival, instead of it being combined with other local regulations, which is where the confusions are caused. The tourism revival task force can issue a weekly or daily update for the industry so everyone is on the same page.
We need to know the outcome of talks with the airlines as Qatar has cancelled up to April 2021 and there are talks of other airlines also postponing their flights into Namibia.
We need a timeline of when the tourism revival is planning to open up 100% so everyone can plan ahead. Hundreds of tourists have already cancelled for November due to the Qatar flights being cancelled.
The Namibia Tourism Board, which is paid millions every year by the industry stakeholders, has not announced anything in the past seven months, nor helped with any assistance. They have passed on the blame to government and let Fenata take charge.
Going forward we need a clear answer from NTB on their role in the industry, because an industry already knocked down cannot be expected to support NTB is the lack to perform.
Over the past seven months, the tourism industry in Namibia has endured most of the brunt of the crisis.
Over 130 000 Namibians depend on the tourism industry in Namibia and a significant percentage of the GDP is supported by the tourism industry, with over N$15 billion injected into the economy annually.
However, currently the issues faced are more due to the regulatory issues and the lack of communication to the rest of the world when it comes to traveling to Namibia.
Airlines are cancelling due to these unclear protocols and there is no clear outline on the current regulations on where and when the tourists must be checked. One tourist already tested positive last week. There are also no guidelines for the crew members, which is causing issues with the airlines.
The land borders were closed for tourists, even those who have a 72 hour negative test.
Currently we only have tourists arriving from neighbouring countries, and to prevent them from traveling, even when the regulations are adhered to, is counter-productive and causing more harm to the industry.
Namibians returning home are forced to quarantine, even if they have the 72 hour negative test, but there is no clear guideline on how to get home/self-quarantine approval or be able to present themselves on day five after coming back to Namibia.
We need to have more transparency in the discussions around tourism, because there seems to be absolutely no particular channel used to communicate to the industry and it is causing more panic overseas with the agents and airlines.
There needs to be a very clear proclamation on tourism revival, instead of it being combined with other local regulations, which is where the confusions are caused. The tourism revival task force can issue a weekly or daily update for the industry so everyone is on the same page.
We need to know the outcome of talks with the airlines as Qatar has cancelled up to April 2021 and there are talks of other airlines also postponing their flights into Namibia.
We need a timeline of when the tourism revival is planning to open up 100% so everyone can plan ahead. Hundreds of tourists have already cancelled for November due to the Qatar flights being cancelled.
The Namibia Tourism Board, which is paid millions every year by the industry stakeholders, has not announced anything in the past seven months, nor helped with any assistance. They have passed on the blame to government and let Fenata take charge.
Going forward we need a clear answer from NTB on their role in the industry, because an industry already knocked down cannot be expected to support NTB is the lack to perform.
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