Windhoek: The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has entered the final validation stage of the revised National Policy on Sustainable Tourism Development following consultations in the Hardap and ||Kharas regions.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the Tourism Policy Finalisation Engagement held in Mariental on Friday brought together stakeholders to review the revised policy to assess whether their concerns and recommendations were incorporated. Officials indicated that consultations were previously conducted in these two regions, where stakeholders provided their inputs, which the ministry consolidated before the validation process.

Hardap Region Governor, Riaan McNab, emphasized the importance of the policy being practical, relevant, and responsive to the needs of Namibians and the tourism industry. He highlighted tourism's significant contributions to livelihoods, investment, entrepreneurship, cultural pride, and economic opportunities. McNab noted the tourism potential of the Hardap and ||Kharas regions, which offer nature-based, cultural, adventure, wellness, heritage, coastal, and agritourism opportunities.

The Hardap region boasts attractions such as the Hardap Dam, Naukluft, wildlife areas, desert landscapes, historic settlements, and agricultural tourism. In contrast, the ||Kharas region provides a southern and coastal experience through locations like Lderitz, Kolmanskop, the Orange River, and Aus. McNab stressed the importance of developing tourism in a way that ensures communities are active participants and beneficiaries, rather than mere spectators of the industry.

He advocated for empowering traditional authorities through tourism concession rights, ensuring they benefit from tourism opportunities. The revised policy aims to provide a framework for sustainable tourism, community participation, SME development, investment, skills, infrastructure, product diversification, and responsible resource management. McNab called for the creation of integrated tourism circuits linking Hardap and ||Kharas to encourage longer visitor stays and retain more tourism expenditure within local economies.

Additionally, McNab emphasized the need for the policy to address digital transformation, climate change, and the inclusion of women, youth, rural communities, and previously disadvantaged Namibians. He urged the government, traditional authorities, communities, conservation partners, and the private sector to collaborate in developing tourism products and attracting investment.