AUTHENTICITY – Namibia’s secret weapon.
The big Namibian question?
“What am I doing in Namibia and what brought me here?” Many first time Visitors
to Namibia contemplates this pending feeling when disembarking at Hosea Kutako
International Airport in Windhoek(or Walvis Bay International Aiport) – and that
my Friend, is worth a discussion.
The Namibian Reason
Your adventurous side overcame the uncertainty and curiosity conquered
assumptions – this is also the case with the San Bushman tribe when they go out on
a hunt. But there is one little thing that prompted the final action and it normally
goes like this:
1. “I was here in Namibia with my Parents in the 80’s on a Safari to Etosha” and
although I was very young and cannot remember much, our Family fequently
discuss the Namibian topic.
2. “My company sent me here for a project and we never had the time to explore
the countryside – the hospitality of the Namibian people convinced us to come
back”.
3. “Friends of ours visited Namibia and they cannot talk enough about Namibia –
the beauty, the safety, the high level of service, kind people and first world
infrastructure.”
The Namibian Facts
Hospitality is good, great and important – most countries cope with it in an
acceptable way, but it is here where Namibia is different from the rest –
AUTHENTICITY in Namibian Hospitality contributes to a range of experiences
that impress Visitors to this great destination.
Based on market intelegence gathered from Northen Hemisphere visitors to
Namibia, the African Tourism Board accoladed Namibia as
The most authentic tourism destination for its commitment to sustainable, high-value, low-impact
travel. This serious commitment to its’ environmental heritage is reflected in the
fact that Namibia became the first African country to incorporate the necessity
of environmental protection in its Constitution.
The most important contributors to Namibia’s favorable status as a Tourism Destination is reflected in:
– Immersive and Involving Tourism of which the very popular Self-Drive
Safaris is a good example. It requires input from the participant, leading to
involvement and more often than not, interaction with the open and friendly
Citizens of Namibia – and the most important: this happens at a relatively slow
pace, so Namibian, so good, so memorable – totally in contrast with typical high
speed commercial tourism practices.
– Namibia’s highly developed Community-Based Tourism model, a dual
purpose management system that serve communities through communal and
private conservancies. Its success is reflected in outstanding performance in the
aking good care of the environment and local culture alike. It sustains
development of skills in the Namibian tourism domain and at the same time,
create awareness of conservation with the younger generations in Namibia.
– Abundance in Wildlife Species and Majestic Landscapes position Namibia
as one of the most diverse countries in Africa: Deserts, Wetlands and Endless
Stretches of Atlantic Coast. Add to that the high level of accessibility and the
Visitor quickly realize the value of this breathtaking destination.
Authenticity remains the foundation of Namibian hospitality – inherently applied
by every proud Namibian in their daily lives. WELCOME TO NAMIBIA
