Namibia should strongly pursue the scientific, academic, volunteer and educational (SAVE) tourism market and address challenges to grow it more effectively.
According to the Environmental Commissioner of Namibia, Theo Nghitila, Namibia is only scratching the surface of this segment and can do much more through a coordinated and focused approach.
Nghitila made the remarks at a seminar held yesterday to introduce the concept of SAVE tourism. The seminar was presented Dr Kristin Lamoureux from the International Institute of Washington.
Nghitila pointed out that although there are many challenges with regard to this cross-cutting segment in the tourism market, it should be addressed to develop the market.
“The SAVE market is something not pursued strongly before,” he said.
According to him there is currently some SAVE tourism in place in Namibia although it is not being recognised as such, because it is classified under the concept of volunteer tourism.
Nghitila explained that Namibia has researchers at Ongava and Gobabeb, which is part of scientific tourism, and that the country also has students from abroad who are studying at Namibian universities and are therefore involved in academic tourism.
Furthermore, there are volunteers at organisations such as the Cheetah Conservation Fund and Nankuse, classified as volunteer tourism, as well as individuals teaching English and other skills through organisations such as the US Peace Corps, classified as educational tourism.
There are also a number of interns from GIZ who work in the country for short periods in many of the development sectors such as environment, water and energy, while many interns from universities across the world do their internships at Namibian schools, hospitals, clinics and orphanages.
Nghitila said the overall goal of tourism development in Namibia is job creation, empowerment, poverty alleviation and economic development as outlined in the fourth National Development Plan, and to succeed at this the country needs to increase the number of tourists who visit Namibia each year.
He said there are many concerns about the fact that the SAVE tourism market is not being pursued strongly, especially because it impacts on work in parks and conservation and because it presents significant challenges to immigration.
“Are these people working or are they on holiday - is it therefore a work visa or a holiday visa?” he asked.
This issue affects many other sectors not related to tourism, such as education, health, construction, charity and immigration.
Nghitila said the other important point to keep in mind is that under the fourth National Development Plan the nation will judge it based on the growth of the tourism sector and even more so on the revenue generated.
Revenue will mean more roads, telephone communication, clinics and schools for the nation.
He stressed that the challenges with regard to SAVE tourism should be discussed and solutions to address these through the appropriate policies, legislation or incentives must be found.
“If there is none we should develop them. In the end the country stands to benefit.”
He added that Namibia should not give up on this segment because of the challenges, but rather overcome them.
According to the Environmental Commissioner of Namibia, Theo Nghitila, Namibia is only scratching the surface of this segment and can do much more through a coordinated and focused approach.
Nghitila made the remarks at a seminar held yesterday to introduce the concept of SAVE tourism. The seminar was presented Dr Kristin Lamoureux from the International Institute of Washington.
Nghitila pointed out that although there are many challenges with regard to this cross-cutting segment in the tourism market, it should be addressed to develop the market.
“The SAVE market is something not pursued strongly before,” he said.
According to him there is currently some SAVE tourism in place in Namibia although it is not being recognised as such, because it is classified under the concept of volunteer tourism.
Nghitila explained that Namibia has researchers at Ongava and Gobabeb, which is part of scientific tourism, and that the country also has students from abroad who are studying at Namibian universities and are therefore involved in academic tourism.
Furthermore, there are volunteers at organisations such as the Cheetah Conservation Fund and Nankuse, classified as volunteer tourism, as well as individuals teaching English and other skills through organisations such as the US Peace Corps, classified as educational tourism.
There are also a number of interns from GIZ who work in the country for short periods in many of the development sectors such as environment, water and energy, while many interns from universities across the world do their internships at Namibian schools, hospitals, clinics and orphanages.
Nghitila said the overall goal of tourism development in Namibia is job creation, empowerment, poverty alleviation and economic development as outlined in the fourth National Development Plan, and to succeed at this the country needs to increase the number of tourists who visit Namibia each year.
He said there are many concerns about the fact that the SAVE tourism market is not being pursued strongly, especially because it impacts on work in parks and conservation and because it presents significant challenges to immigration.
“Are these people working or are they on holiday - is it therefore a work visa or a holiday visa?” he asked.
This issue affects many other sectors not related to tourism, such as education, health, construction, charity and immigration.
Nghitila said the other important point to keep in mind is that under the fourth National Development Plan the nation will judge it based on the growth of the tourism sector and even more so on the revenue generated.
Revenue will mean more roads, telephone communication, clinics and schools for the nation.
He stressed that the challenges with regard to SAVE tourism should be discussed and solutions to address these through the appropriate policies, legislation or incentives must be found.
“If there is none we should develop them. In the end the country stands to benefit.”
He added that Namibia should not give up on this segment because of the challenges, but rather overcome them.
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