An Act of Parliament, Act 21 of 2000, established the Namibia Tourism Board in 2001 as a statutory body. The NTB’s objectives are to ensure that services rendered and facilities provided to tourists comply with the prescribed standards; to register and grade accommodation establishments and other tourism-related businesses; to promote the training of persons engaged in the tourism industry; to promote the development of environmentally sustainable tourism by actively supporting the long-term conservation, maintenance and development of the natural resources base of Namibia; and to provide advice and guidance to persons engaged in the tourism industry. It is also mandated to promote travel to and within Namibia, which are achieved through the following operational approach: The NTB has two offices outside Namibia (Frankfurt and Cape Town) and trade and PR representatives in London, Johannesburg, Beijing, Shanghai, Paris and Rome to provide tourism information on Namibia. These offices and representatives also actively promote Namibia to the travel trade and at the various travel fairs. Most of Namibia’s major towns have tourist information centres.
The NTB, through its activities over the past five years, has made inroads in ensuring that the tourism industry is based on sound pillars. An enormous number of products have been added – mainly in the accommodation sector – and product depth has increased, as well as special-interest tourism. The NTB is commended for taking the lead in breaking out of the seasonality and standard places to visit in order to encourage repeat visitors to the country.
