Newly elected chairman of the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations (Fenata), Ally Karaerua, has emphasised that the organisation represents the diverse travel and tourism industry, as a voluntary entity for Namibian tourism associations. These associations, representing specialised fields, include travel agencies, car rentals, tour operations, emerging tourism, tour guides as well as hunting and accommodation. 

In a media statement issue this week, Karaerua noted these associations “are united within Fenata to serve the interests, and to act as the united voice of tourism in Namibia in respect of common matters and issues to promote and foster the sound development of sustainable tourism in the country.”

Fenata is registered as a private sector umbrella organisation representing the interests of the registered commercial travel and tourism sector, recently elected a new executive team and reconfirmed its commitment to be the voice of private sector tourism in Namibia.

Founded some three decades ago, Fenata’s key functions include lobby work for the sector with relevant stakeholders, both in the public and private sectors, to ensure Namibia provides a conducive environment for sustainable tourism development across the entire country. 

“Within Fenata, member associations have the opportunity to deal with cross-hatching issues that are relevant to the overall tourism sector, and to advise on generic destination marketing of Namibia as a travel destination of choice,” Karaerua stated. 

He added that key focal areas of the federation include accessibility to and within Namibia as a destination, safety, sustainability and affordability of tourism, and general economic development affecting domestic landscapes and environment.