Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, has inaugurated the new Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), which will serve until October 31, 2026 with me. Janette Fourie as chairman.
The minister announced that the newly appointed board members are Olavi Hamwele, Ally Karaerua, Janette Fourie, Maggy Mbako, Ngivitjita Zatjirua, Efraim Nkoshi, and Rachel Nathaniel-Koch. Shifeta revealed that he appointed Fourie as the Chairperson of the board and Hamwele as the Deputy Chairperson.
The minister further revealed that the board’s responsibilities include promoting travel to and within Namibia, fostering tourism industry development, and supporting environmentally sustainable practices by conserving, maintaining, and developing the country’s natural resources.
The NTB is also expected to advise the minister on matters related to the formulation or implementation of national policy on tourism and the administration of the NTB Act or any other law pertaining to the tourism industry. The minister also disclosed that one of the board’s immediate tasks is to appoint a Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Shifeta stressed that, considering the competitiveness of the tourism sector, it is now opportune for Namibia, under the guidance of the NTB, to elevate its promotion and marketing efforts significantly. This involves repositioning the country as a preferred destination for leisure tourism, adventure, and business.
“The appointment of this board is being made at the most crucial time in the tourism sector when it is in its full recovery mode after the Covid-19 pandemic. It is also at a time when stakeholders are expecting much from NTB in both regulating the industry and marketing and promoting ‘Destination Namibia’,” Shifeta said.
The new chairperson of the board, me. Fourie expressed similar views, assuring the minister that the board recognizes the importance of effective destination marketing for Namibia to compete globally. Fourie further underscored that tourism is a major and rapidly expanding global industry, highlighting its significance for Namibia as a substantial source of revenue and employment.
“Tourism offers great opportunities for our emerging markets in Namibia. It creates jobs, strengthens the local economy and contributes to local infrastructure development. The Namibia Tourism Board will focus on increased economic activity and will encourage collaborative relationships with the private sector. We, as a board, will take our responsibility and fiduciary duties serious and want the public and staff to know they have our 100% commitment,” Fourie said.
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