Namibia has been recognised for showing progress and excellence in policymaking for sustainable tourism growth and development to its destination.
Environment and tourism ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda last week announced that the country became the first runner-up in the leading progressive policies’ award category at the fifth Africa tourism leadership forum and awards in Botswana.
He said the award was in recognition of the progressive policies and tourism recovery intervention propelled by the ministry of environment and tourism towards tourism and overall destination development.
In the leading in progressive policies’ category, Senegal was the overall winner. Namibia was the first runner-up, and Botswana the second runner-up.
“The African travel and tourism community is noticing these interventions, and in its recognition, the award was given,” Muyunda added.
The ministry thanked stakeholders, both in the public and private sectors, for their collaborative efforts to rethink tourism and work towards inclusive tourism growth and development.
Equally, the ministry recognises that more effort is still required, especially in building a sustainable, rural and inclusive tourism economy.
These are the only Pan-African industry awards which recognise and celebrate change-makers and innovations pioneered by Africans, in Africa, for the African travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation industries.
Categories for the awards’ nominations include leading in progressive policies; outstanding entrepreneurship; outstanding Africa tourism media and marketing; women in leadership; championing sustainability; most innovative business tourism destination; outstanding accommodation facility or group; outstanding tourism transportation; and Destination Africa - Lifetime Award.
Nominees were required to prove their commitment to leadership through sustainability in tourism practices and policymaking.
Namibia, like 43 other African countries, participated during the fifth edition of the Africa tourism leadership forum in Gaborone, Botswana from 24 to 26 October 2022.
The award winners were determined by international independent tourism expert judges.
The awards were hosted by the African Tourism Partners, in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and the government of Botswana.
The forum brought together key tourism stakeholders from across Africa and the rest of the world to share insights and devise strategies for intra-African tourism growth.
Nominations for the awards ran from 16 August to 14 September 2022.
– anakale@nepc.com.na