Gondwana launches 'Tourism Heroes' campaign

In response to a troubling surge in crimes against tourists, Gondwana Collection Namibia has introduced the 'Tourism Heroes' campaign.This initiative aims to reward, recognise and support individuals and entities that play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety, hospitality, kindness, care and preservation of Namibian tourism.Gondwana Collection Namibia has shown its commitment to this cause by contributing N$1 million – N$500 000 in cash and N$500 000 in-kind donations facilitated through the Gondwana Care Trust.Namibia, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and warm hospitality, has recently faced challenges that threaten the safety of its visitors.Welcoming environment The Tourism Heroes campaign seeks to address these issues by shining a spotlight on those who go above and beyond to safeguard tourists and enhance their experience.The objectives of the campaign include reducing incidents involving tourists, nurturing a sense of Namibian pride and responsibility for tourist safety, fostering community unity to create a safe and welcoming environment, and emphasising the economic significance of the tourism industry in Namibia. It underscores the importance of collective efforts to support this vital industry, which contributes significantly to the country's gross domestic product (GDP), provides income for rural communities, generates employment, and much more.Collaborations Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta said the worrying number of violent attacks on foreign tourists over the past few months "has sparked concern from the tourism sector and the country as a whole. We have recently publicly condemned these attacks and called upon stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring the safety of our tourists.”The minister said Gondwana’s campaign aims at rewarding, recognising and supporting individuals and entities that play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety, hospitality, kindness, care and preservation of Namibia's tourism sector. “The government and mainly the ministry are grateful to Gondwana for facilitating donations towards this noble initiative through the Gondwana Care Trust.”He said that the reward system will assist and support government efforts in ensuring that culprits and criminals targeting tourists and tourists’ establishments are identified quickly, apprehended and brought to book to face the full wrath of the law.Equally, the initiative strengthens collaboration between government and the tourism sector at large and speaks volumes about their solid relationship with the sector, Shifeta said. Destination of choice He said the ministry, in the same spirit, welcomes and appreciates the establishment of the Tourism Protection Unit by the police.“We wish to see the unit operational in all 14 regions of our country. The safety of our visitors and citizens of this beautiful and peaceful country is of utmost importance and therefore cannot be left to the police alone or unchallenged, but all citizens are urged to join the fight against crime and help report crime incidents and those criminals involved.”Shifeta once again condemned the recent wave of violent attacks targeting international tourists in the country.“We must, in our respective capacities as Namibians, have no tolerance for crimes committed against tourists or any other crime where vulnerable members of society and innocent tourists are victims. The safety of our country and of our international visitors has always been our unique proposition and has given Namibia an added advantage as a tourist destination of choice.”He said assaults on visitors and international tourists in the country have severe and detrimental impacts on the growth and recovery of the country’s tourism economy and sector, which is just beginning to find its feet two years after the devastating impact caused by Covid-19.“In Namibia, tourism has a multiplier effect as it contributes significantly to the gross domestic product of the country, the creation of new businesses and employment opportunities, as well as income generation, especially for communities in rural areas, leading to the social and economic empowerment of many people.”

Gondwana launches 'Tourism Heroes' campaign

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Republikein 2025-12-25

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Gondwana launches 'Tourism Heroes' campaign

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