SWAKOPMUND – The Minister of Environment and Tourism Uahekua Herunga has urged the tourism sector not to undermine the importance of the industry and to work together to ensure that Namibia becomes a tourism destination of choice for the world.
The minister said this during the groundbreaking ceremony of the N$342 million Strand Hotel last week in Swakopmund. The Ohlthaver & List (O & L) Group of Companies’ new hotel, which is expected to be completed by mid 2014 is replacing the old Strand Hotel which was demolish in 2008. The minister said institutions such as the Namibia Tourism Board, Air Namibia, Namibia Wildlife Resorts, as well as the Olthaver and List Leisure group are responsible to ensure that tourists choose Namibia as a preferred holiday destination. “Therefore today is a historic moment, not only for the Ohlthaver & List (O & L) Group of Companies and the town of Swakopmund, but for Namibia as well. This development will not only be a tourist attraction, but will provide much needed employment to hundreds of Namibian,” the minister said. He went on to say that tourism is one of the major pillars on which the economy rests and can never be underestimated in terms of income, employment creation and the overall reputation of the country. “Namibia, particularly this year, has been a major player in the industry, by playing host to COPE11 and the Adventure Travel World Summit, amongst others. The new Strand Hotel will most certainly feature prominently on the list of tourist operators and will mark a highlight in the calendar of tourists visiting Namibia,” he said. Executive Chairman of the O&L Group, Sven Thieme expressed his delight at being able to deliver on the O&L Group’s purpose and promise of ‘creating a future, enhancing life’ through the Strand Hotel.
“Over the past years Namibia has made great progress in its development and in particular the tourism industry,” said Thieme, adding that it is important that everyone should collectively take development into their own hands in order to empower the people, enhancing inclusive and sustainable growth, environmental sustainability and living up to equity and good governance.
The O&L Leisure team set out to conceptualize and design the new Strand Hotel in order to ensure the iconic, cultural and historic aspects of this amazing Mole site, is truly appreciated, respected and protected. The new hotel will comprise of 135 rooms, three restaurants, three bars, a conference centre, a micro-brewery, a deli shop, a beach kiosk, a public spa and fitness centre with a heated swimming pool. It will also create about 1 500 jobs during the construction phase and at least 150 permanent jobs once operational.
By Eveline de Klerk