Namibia expects more tourists from USA and Canada

WINDHOEK, Namibia – Namibia can expect more tourists from the United States of America (USA) and Canada.

WINDHOEK, Namibia – Namibia can expect more tourists from the United States of America (USA) and Canada.

The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA)-Namibia’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Operations, Sikongo Haihambo on Monday said that the country is now “on the map and in the catalogues” of numerous USA and Canada-based travel agencies.

He made the remark at the handing-over of vehicles and office equipment as well as a newly-designed interactive website to the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB).

“For one, there is the N$50 million North-America Destination Marketing (NADM) campaign and its overwhelming successful roadshows undertaken on the other side of the Atlantic.

“Namibia is now on the map and in the catalogues of numerous USA and Canada-based travel agencies, and Namibia can expect more holidaymakers coming from these countries,” he stated.

According to Haihambo, Namibia is the only country with a tourism project amongthe many others all over the world that benefitsfrom MCA investment and development programme,

An analysis of Namibia’s economy revealed that the country’s tourism industry holds great potential for growth, he added.

At the same occasion, NTB Chief Executive Officer Digu //Naobeb expressed similar sentiments, noting that North American arrivals in Namibia showed positive growth during 2011, compared to European countries.

Local travel agencies that have penetrated the North American market have also shown positive results so far.

“Namibians have already seen the gain, with a 200 per cent increase in business,” he added.

The North American market is still an emerging source market, with potential not only to generate considerable tourism revenue for Namibia, but also to mitigate seasonal fluctuations.

As a means of generating further interest in Namibia within the key North American source markets, MCA-Namibia assisted the NTB with procuring the services of a marketing agency called the Namibia Destination Marketing (NADM) team.

NADM will carry out a full destination marketing campaign over the term of the tourism compact. The NADM campaign is a four-year US$5 million MCA-Namibia-funded initiative.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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