The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) is calling on stakeholders to attend the National Tourism Policy consultations. 

The consultations started on the 3rd of March and will end on the 17th. 

The policy was introduced 18 years ago, and it's being reshaped to set a clear direction for how tourism should grow and develop.

This includes offering quality services, inclusiveness, strengthening environmental protection, community benefits, and innovation. 

Public consultations took place in Rundu and Nkurenkuru, but the majority of those who turned up were students.

"I am inviting all the constituency councillors, conservancies, traditional authorities, and the entire community to attend this meeting because we need their full input; it is their policy, and they will own it, so their participation is essential," said Elise Hashikutuva, the Deputy Director at MEFT.

Hashikutuva said the private sector is the engine of the tourism sector, and its participation during consultations is of utmost importance. 

Some of the issues raised by the locals in the Kavango East Region were the lack of opportunities for students studying tourism. 

The absence of a tourist information centre and the fact that consultations are conducted in English, which creates a language barrier, are just a few of the issues raised.

Participants in Kavango West expressed their dissatisfaction with the non-existence of the Namibia Tourism Board and the region's lack of representation in various tourism sectors. 

Both regions agree that the policy draft be made available way before the consultations and that the document be translated into the local languages.

All in all, the revised policy aims to shape a tourism industry that reflects Namibia's values, protects its rich cultural and natural heritage, and ensures that the benefits of tourism are broadly shared.