Namibia’s hosting of the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) in 2024 stands as a strategic initiative in tackling Namibia’s socioeconomic challenges. The forum serves as an opportunity to attract investments that could create job opportunities, reduce poverty and address inequality.
This was shared by Catherine Shipushu, spokesperson of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB). Namibia was this month selected to host the AHIF in 2024.
AHIF is the leading hospitality investment conference that connects business leaders from the international and local markets, driving investment into tourism projects, infrastructure and hotel development across Africa.
“By fostering the growth of the hospitality industry, the forum will help catalyse the creation of both direct and indirect employment, benefiting communities throughout the country. Community-based tourism projects, empowered by such investments, will drive a more equitable distribution of wealth and opportunities, reducing inequality,” said Shipushu while responding to questions from this publication.
The opportunity to host AHIF2024 amplifies the country’s commitment to elevating the hospitality and tourism sector, which contributes up to 14% of the national gross domestic product and employs over 100 000 Namibians.
She added skills development programmes in the hospitality sector can improve employability and offer a pathway out of poverty for many Namibians.
Shipushu added, Namibia’s tourism industry has proven itself a noteworthy contender in attracting investments.
“Blessed with stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage and unique wildlife, the country has become an appealing destination for sustainable tourism investments. While the NIPDB is only facilitating a very small number of tourism-related investment projects at the moment (around 2% of our pipeline), anecdotal evidence shows that the industry is slowly starting to rebound from the effects of Covid-19. We, therefore, expect some investments to start flowing into the industry in the near future,” she noted on behalf of the board.
Commenting on Namibia’s ability on hosting this magnitude of event, Shipushu stated some of the comparative advantages that put Namibia ahead of the curve are a strong record of peace and political stability, efficient communication networks, extensive road networks, two ports and numerous international and domestic airports, ensuring smooth logistics for delegates and cargo alike.
Furthermore, she noted the stable telecommunications and internet connectivity facilitate seamless communication, crucial for an international event of this scale.
It is also important to note that the forum presents an opportunity to showcase Namibia’s renowned hospitality, a key selling point for the tourism industry.
According to the Bank of Namibia’s fourth quarter of 2022 bulletin, tourism activity, as proxied by the total airport passenger arrivals, recorded a significant increase, year-on-year, largely due to base effects, following the easing of travel restrictions.
The total tourist arrivals rose year-on-year to a headcount of 96 755 during the fourth quarter of 2022 from 56 916 registered during the same quarter of 2021. – mndjavera@nepc.com.na