By Selma Neshiko
WINDHOEK- The Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (Retosa) is inviting and encouraging learners to enter its Youth in Tourism Competition before August 22.
The essay competition themed Sustainable Tourism Development: Tourism and Development in the Community, targets scholars between the ages of seven to 18 years. Participants from primary and secondary schools are invited to submit essays on the topics allocated in the two respective categories. The winner of last year’s competition, who is the current Regional Junior Tourism Minister from Windhoek Gymnasium Private School, Taloshili Hangula, says this is not just another essay competition and urges fellow learners to take part.“You should take this opportunity because it opened doors for me and this can happen to you as well. Walking away with that title out of all the SADC countries is a bonus for your profile. This is a gateway and you got nothing to lose,” Hangula encourages fellow youths.
Hangula adds that even though his experience has not been satisfying, he gained a lot from it. “I had many hopes and ideas to implement and achieve my objectives but since my reign is almost over, I would be happy if the title stays in Namibia,” he says. The finalists will be sponsored to attend the Regional Youth in Tourism Conference in Mauritius from September 25–26 September where they will make their final presentations and the winners announced. The competition will culminate in the selection of two winners who will be crowned Junior Tourism Ministers for a year. All submissions must be electronic.
Retosa is the tourism implementing agency for the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) that believes that engaging school children in such competition is the easiest way to enrich the scholars’ knowledge on tourism. Its primary objective is to facilitate and promote tourism growth and development in Southern Africa. Retosa’s member states are Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
For more information about the competition, essay topics and how to enter, visit www.retosa.co.za or email them at research@retosa.co.za