UNWTO chief impressed by Geingob’s leadership
World Tourism Organization ( UNWTO) secretary general, Zu r a b Pololikashvili has praised President Hage Geingob for his strong leadership, particularly with regards to the international tourism revival initiative, which he said includes the key health and safety protocols drawn up by the tourism body.
Pololikashvili who is in the country on a three-day official visit expressed his appreciation during a meeting with Geingob at State House on Wednesday.
During the meeting, Geingob and Pololikashvili discussed among other how to unlock tourism potential, promote sustainable development as well as on how to realise the potential of tourism to drive sustainable development, including for youth, women and rural communities.
The visit to Namibia according to Pololikashvili reaffirms UNWTO’s
commitment to the continent and featured a series of high-level talks aimed at strengthening existing partnerships and looking to a sustainable, resilient future.
About two weeks ago, Geingob announced new measures that are meant to aid the revival of the local tourism industry.
He announced that all travellers arriving in Namibia with a negative PCR test result, that is not older than 72 hours, will be permitted to proceed to their final destination in the country.
As part of the International Tourism Revival Initiative, Namibia opened up borders to international tourists in September to save the bleeding tourism economy that was devastated by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pololikashvili and his team also had a meeting with Vice President Nangolo Mbumba and Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, to identify ways of growing the country’s tourism
sector, including a greater focus on gastronomy tourism, rural and community-based tourism.
Pololikashvili also visited several of Namibia’s leading tourist sites.
These included the Namib Sand Sea, a Unesco World Heritage Site that is ready to welcome tourists again, and also historical in Swakopmund and the Walvis Bay tourist destination.
Pololikashvili met with Neville Andre, governor of the Erongo region, to offer UNWTO’s strongest support for local tourism businesses.
Additionally, the Namibia Tourism Expo provided an opportunity for UNWTO to engage with public and private sector leaders from across the region and sent a clear message to the world that Namibia, “The Land of the Brave” is open and ready to welcome tourists again.
This year’s tourism expo started on Wednesday at Sport Klub Windhoek and ending on Saturday.