Mega-trends in tourism – The way forward for tourism in Namibia

THE Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) is celebrating a milestone this year – it’s 20th anniversary. Established in 1987 with some 16 members joining in the fifi rst year, the Association has grown to more than 370 members, representing the bulk of the Namibian hotel, lodge, guest farming, guest house and B&Bs, as well as rest camps and the camping fraternity.

But, while HAN is proud to be able to look back on 20 years of continuous growth, the Association is keen to share ideas on future trends for the tourism industry and has thus selected Mega- Trends in Tourism as its motto for this year’s congress, taking place on 1 and 2 November. As has become tradition over the past few years, HAN will be hosting their congress and trade forum early in No- vember, which will culminate in the 20th Anni versary Awards Gala on the 2nd at the Sa fari Hotel & Conference Centre in Windhoek.

Programme Thursday, 1 November: • 08:00 – 13h00: HAN Tourism Congress and HAN Suppliers Trade Fair at the Safari Omatako Conference Centre • 14:00 – 19:00: HTTF in the Omatako Conference Centre Friday, 2 November: • 08:30 – 16h00: HTTF and Suppliers Trade Fair continues
• 19:00 – late: HAN Tourism Awards Gala The programme features: • a half-day congress offering 5 hours of in-depth debate and deliberations on issues affecting the tourism industry, involving both the accommodation and the tour operating and facilitating sector; • a two day Suppliers Exhibition – a focused, trade-only hospitality and tourism suppliers trade fair, where all direct and important suppliers to the tourism and hospitality industry are invited to network and demonstrate their products and services;
• 1 1⁄21⁄2 days of the HAN Tourism Trade Forum, during which HAN members will deliberate and negotiate new prices, policies and contracts with the tour operating sector;
• the annual HAN Tourism Awards Gala, during which the best accommodation establishments will be awarded the HAN Award of Excellence, while other prestigious achievements in tourism are honoured. HAN has secured the support and input from two international speakers to assist in identifying mega-trends in international tourism. They are:
• Mr. Reinhart Mecklenburg, a European tourism marketing expert based in Germany, who has for many years served the Namibian tourism industry as GSA for a number of properties and businesses. He has addressed previous congresses (1999, 2001 and 2003) and proved to be a dynamic, inspirational and knowledgeable speaker. His topic at the congress will be Megatrends and Changing Demand Factors in Interna tional Long Haul Tourism; and
• Mr. Greg McManus from Qualitour in South Africa who has been invited to address the Namibian tourism fraternity on “Assuring Positive Impacts of Tourism – Creating a sustainable future”.

In 1997 and 1998 Mr McManus joined the congresses to share with the local tourism industry his knowledge and views on the develop ment of tourism in the Southern African region, with special focus on ecotou rism. Following the congress, industry representatives will break away for the Tourism Trade Forum to join a 1 1⁄2 day net working session where HAN mem bers provide tour operators with the latest in formation on their products and servi ces.

This is done to equip tour operators with relevant new information on products and prices for them to be able to package these and sell Namibia’s tourism industry effectively at the trade fairs abroad, starting with the World Travel Market just ten days after the HTTF.

This event has proven very effective and popular among most players of the Namibian tourism industry as it provides for personal and direct networking and communication, as well as sharing of ideas and visions by people involved in the industry. On both days companies identifi ed as major and preferred suppliers to the industry will be exhibiting their latest products and networking with the tourism industry players to ensure professional and convenient supply of products that assist in providing quality service to the international clientele.

The culmination of the networking session is the annual HAN Awards of Excellence Gala on Friday the 2nd, and this year even more special since this celebration will coincide with HAN’s 20th anniversary gala. Exciting entertainment is planned for this event, while former HAN Chairmen have been invited to share some memories on the develop ment of tourism in general and that of HAN in particular, over the past 20 years. The events are made possible with the support of major sponsors Namibia Breweries Limited and Standard Bank of Namibia, as well as Air Namibia, Avis, Ale xander Forbes and British America Tobacco.

The Congress, HTTF and gala focus on fostering closer ties between the actual business partners and role-players in tourism to ensure that the products and services developed and offered both to the international and local markets, at international and local fairs, are wellplanned, structured and supported. As representative of the hospitality sector, HAN is proud to host this important working session for the tourism industry and is looking forward to great participation and input from all sectors of the industry. Further details, programme and registration forms are available from the HAN offi ce. Contact Gitta Paetzold at 061 222 904 or [email protected].