Africa-Press – Namibia. Several Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) board members have pocketed N$2 million in travel allowances in five months, with some directors allegedly raking in between N$300 000 and N$600 000 this year.
This has raised questions over some board members scrambling for the opportunity to travel abroad unnecessarily.
NTB board members have undertaken at least 21 foreign trips since last year.
The Namibian has seen messages exchanged between NTB directors who are unhappy about certain directors allegedly being favoured for these trips.
Sources say some board members are using the tourism entity to go on luxury holidays, instead of promoting the country’s tourism sector.
‘ALREADY STRUGGLING’
“Some just want to post on social media about the trips while they are using NTB’s resources – and the company is already struggling.
“Some of these events don’t even need board members, but they are assigned everywhere,” a source claims.
NTB, a state-owned regulatory and marketing entity, tasked to promote Namibia’s tourism industry, has been in the news over the years for paying Benin businessman Ernest Adjovi N$23 million in 2015 to host music awards that never took place.
This has allegedly driven a wedge between board members, with each vying to be next in line for expensive overseas trips.
Trips to Finland, Spain, Serbia, Germany and South Africa were all attended by board members this year with the approval of the former minister of environment and tourism.
At the centre of the drama is NTB vice chairperson pastor Rachel Koch, who has allegedly been one of the biggest beneficiaries in travel allowances this year.
According to social media posts, Koch has on one occasion travelled first class on an NTB ticket.
The board has, however, told The Namibian that the parastatal prefers business and economy class.
Koch on Wednesday said she did not travel in her personal capacity and referred further queries to NTB.
“I’m not at liberty to respond in my personal capacity, unless it was [about] my private life,” she said.
HIGH FLYERS
NTB sets aside about N$4 million every year for board members’ travel and accommodation, documents seen by The Namibian indicate.
Recent spending has, however, caused concern among staff members and role-players in the tourism industry, who believe the funds could be better used elsewhere.
Futhermore, board chairperson Olavi Hamwele is accused of being the second-biggest trip beneficiary, allegedly travelling to Germany and France.
He yesterday declined to comment on the matter.
“Please call Flora at NTB for a response on your queries,” he said.
These trips were also undertaken by NTB board executive officer Sebulon Chicalu, allegedly raking up more than four international trips.
A source says NTB has a mandate to fulfil, and there are budget provisions for trips, depending on the role of each person required to travel.
NTB RESPONDS
Responding to The Namibian’s questions on behalf of the chief executive yesterday, NTB spokesperson Flora Quest said out of more than 30 international marketing events attended each year, fewer than 10 necessitate board attendance.
“The rationale for board participation arises when international tourism boards are anticipated to be represented by their board members for bilateral discussions, policy networking, and engagements with international travel associations aimed at attracting new source markets and reinforcing existing ones,” she said.
Quest said subsistence and travel (S&T) allowances are paid according to approved rates and NTB’s internal policy.
“The class of seat for flights is predetermined by an established written and approved internal travel policy, based on whether the journey is under four hours (economy class) or over (business class),” she said.
“This ensures that the company chief executive and board members arrive rested and well-prepared for business engagements, which often commence shortly after arrival in the host country and require high levels of personal performance,” she said.
Quest said trips are approved by the minister of environment and tourism.
“… thereby ensuring oversight that extends beyond the organisation itself,” she said.
She added that NTB members are encouraged to travel to promote tourism.
“The involvement of board members enhances Namibia’s representation and provides governance-level oversight on the advancement of strategic objectives, while also allowing them to gain insights into the evolving landscape of global tourism destination management.
“It is evident for NTB’s newly appointed chief executive… his involvement in significant international events, trade fairs, and road shows as the accounting officer of the organisation,” Quest said.
Quest said the primary source markets for Namibia include countries from Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas, the United States, and Canada, among others.
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