Irene !hoaës
10 October 2008
Windhoek — Big global events such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup might not only bring about positive spin-offs but also a lot of negative effects particularly for the tourism industry.
Tourism operators who have experienced big world events testify that tourism numbers in those countries have significantly dropped during that time as some people shy away from such big events.
"We are looking at precautionary measures to see how we can avert the situation," Digu //Naobeb, Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Tourism Board, said.
//Naobeb said during his visit to Vienna, Austria, tour operators reported that bookings to southern Africa have decreased due to the recent political turmoil in Kenya as well as in Zimbabwe.
"People are confused of the proximity of some of these countries, for example Kenya, which is very far from Namibia. Thus, we have to embark on a proper media awareness campaign to give a positive image that there is no violence in Namibia," he said.
NTB plans to embark on a marketing strategy in order to clearly show Namibia's geographical position in Africa, so as to clear the confusion that so many people in the world have.
For this purpose, the NTB is targeting international media that will be converging in South Africa pre-2010.
Another challenge is the issue of rental car shortages during 2010, as many car rental companies are South African subsidiaries who are likely to call back most of their fleet operating in Namibia.
//Naobeb, however, said that negotiations are still underway between stakeholder regarding the issue.
"Air capacity is another concern raised around the 2010 issue, as most airlines that time would be carrying soccer tourists, which might have an impact on normal tourists wanting to visit Namibia during that time," explained the NTB Head.
Again, the issue is also under discussion among stakeholders.
//Naobeb said that Air Namibia is looking at the possibility of additional flights, especially daylight flights from next year in order to test the possibility.
The NTB Head also revealed that there is fear among tourists that there will be increases in tourism related prices, especially accommodation.
"We need to make a unified decision whether prices will increase or stay normal during that time.
//Naobeb said all these factors pose a serious challenge to normal tourism during the 2010 event, thus stakeholders must get together and decide on how to go about these issues.
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