Despite our industry’s assertion that tourism is everyone’s business, it has become evident that the entirety of our sector’s influence on a country’s socioeconomic growth and well-being is sometimes underestimated and misinterpreted. Despite the government’s national accounts stating tourism as restaurants and accommodation, it encompasses considerably more than that. The list of factors that affect tourism and the lives of Namibians in general is seemingly endless and includes aviation, transportation, conservation, commodity consumption, education, and communication. Beyond the wages and revenue opportunities generated within the industry, HAN’s “𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘮 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴?” demonstration aims to clearly show the scope and character of the contributions that tourism-related businesses make to Namibians, including contributions to social investment initiatives, education, and environmental conservation. Our goal is for tourism to be acknowledged as the diverse and significant force that it is, and to regain its proper position as one of the main economic pillars of the Namibian economy.

The objective of HAN is to improve the role that our HAN members play in society. Although our main goal in tourism may be to host our visitors and make their stay convenient and enjoyable, Namibia’s tourism industry also gives Namibians from all walks of life and communities throughout the country the chance to earn a living. Additionally, because we work in some of the most distinctive and pristine environments, tourism helps to develop local communities, preserve and sustain the natural resources as well as surroundings that serve as the platform from which tourism operates. In order to protect Namibia’s distinctive environment for future generations, tourism is committed to ensuring its sustainable development for both Namibians and tourists. Everyone should share this responsibility, and HAN thinks that by considering how tourism affects Namibia, the duty to develop our stunning nation sustainably will serve as a template for all economic sectors, both public and private sector decision-makers to follow.

As a commercial enterprise, everyone aspires to increase both the number of employees and the income levels. However, HAN is eager to see sustainable tourism development in Namibia and Africa, where quality is prioritised above quantity and less is more. Africa can learn from international tourist destinations that have recently suspended operations to reduce the detrimental effects of mass tourism. Since human connection and cultural exchanges are how tourist destinations gain their distinctiveness, our product creation should always take into account the social, environmental, and economical effects it has on a nation and its citizens. Successful tourism experiences are the result of positive human connections; hence the development of tourism should be influenced by the public rather than individual interests.

We should all be committed to telling the Namibian story as truthfully and authentically as possible since we are all in this together. In our endeavours to illustrate “𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘮 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴?,” we would like to encourage our HAN members to share the small stories that make their location and operations special and unique. We frequently forget how important the little things in life are in the midst of our daily tasks. 

Although tourism is an important economic pillar, particularly when considering the various forms of leisure and business travel, it is frequently overshadowed by seemingly other more important and urgent economic sectors like mining and agriculture and fishing, which also require the attention of decision-makers. Seeing Namibian decision-makers finally commit to an “all-of-government approach” to address the issues of land-use, budgeting, policy-making, and commitment to the long-term and sustainable vision of Namibia, its people, and the environment is a challenge we are eager to take on in 2025.