WINDHOEK – The Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) yesterday launched its 2013 congress and gala event that is scheduled for November 27 and 28. The annual event will include the Tourism and Trade Forum and Awards dinner. This year’s event will take place under the theme, ‘Tourism translates Namibia to the World. ‘
During the launch HAN also announced the sponsors for this year. They are Standard Bank Namibia, which sponsors the event in the sum of N$65 000, Namibia Breweries Limited with N$60 000, Bannerman Resources with N$25 000 and Marsh Namibia which is providing insurance .
“Tourism is everyone’s business and Standard Bank Namibia is proud to be joining hands with HAN and other corporate stakeholders in their efforts to achieve Namibia’s true growth potential in the tourism industry. We have for long had a mutually beneficial relationship with HAN and believe that their activities and programmes will enhance tourism greatly,” said Standard Bank Namibia’s Public Relations and Communications Manager, Surihe Gaomas-Guchu.
The tourism industry plays an ever-increasingly important role as it contributes greatly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. “Standard Bank Namibia therefore recognizes the importance of the hospitality industry as it not only places the country on the world map, but helps promote tourism besides providing warm tourism hospitality and job creation,” added Gaomas-Guchu.
HAN has since its inception in 1987 grown from an initial 16 members to a total of close to 400 members. The organisation represents the full spectrum of the hospitality industry, from hotels to guesthouses, guest farms, lodges, rest camps, restaurants, conference centres and catering services.
Over the years, more and more tourism and hospitality related businesses have joined the hospitality association, making it an umbrella-body and significant player in the tourism and hospitality industry in general.
By Edgar Brandt