Despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its tourism sector, the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) says more than 100 new tourism sector companies have registered since the outbreak of the disease.
According to nbc.na, NTB Chief Executive Officer Digu //Naobeb says 122 companies were registered over 11 months starting in April last year.
He says 53 of the companies are accommodation businesses and 69 others are regulated tour operators.
//Naobeb says this shows people’s willingness to invest in the tourism sector, despite the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry.
He says the craft and art industry as a tourism industry sub-sector were devastated with traders there not able to sell their products directly to tourists.
//Naobeb says that they are looking at ways to revive the sub-sector.
The NTB leader says 12 businesses within the industry closed down during the same period, as travel restrictions brought all movement of people, including tourists, to a halt.
He says these are some of the issues that will be discussed at the UNTWO Brand Africa Conference set for 14 to 16 of this month.
//Naobeb shared the issue in an interview with NBC’s Good Morning Namibia programmed on Wednesday.