The Erongo region’s tourism sector is setting its sights on the growing cruise ship industry, aiming to leverage the tens of thousands of passengers calling at the port of Walvis Bay each year.
Between March 2022 and March this year, 44 passenger liners called to port.
This figure is projected to grow to 66 vessels by March next year.
“We must make sure they empty their wallets when they come to Namibia, instead of spending their money somewhere else,” the director of tourism and gaming at the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Sebulun Chicalu, said at a tourism stakeholders’ meeting at Swakopmund on Thursday.
The meeting was aimed at discussing strategies for leveraging the sector, as well as safety and regulatory concerns.
“We have choices. There are so many ports all over the place. If we don’t do things right, we will all lose out,” Chicalu said.
The meeting highlighted challenges in capitalising on the influx of tourists and the emergence of unregistered transport operators.
Unofficial operators are compromising safety and quality standards, Chicalu said.
“The concern is real. If passengers feel insecure or the environment seems unfriendly, they may choose to stay on the ship, thus depriving the local economy of potential revenue,” he said.
Erongo governor Neville Andre praised the initiative, citing its alignment with the Namibia Tourism Sector Recovery Plan for 2022 to 2024, which focuses on broadening tourism routes and products.
He emphasised the commitment to ensuring that services provided adhere to the standards set by key regulatory bodies.
Namport’s business development manager, Trevor Ndjadila, addressed the seasonality of the cruise ship industry, making local ports vulnerable to economic fluctuations.
The need for significant financial investments to bridge the infrastructure gap was another issue raised.
“The large number of passengers from cruise ships requires proper security measures,” Ndjadila said.
“We want to create the ultimate welcoming port experience for these passenger vessels. It’s crucial that once the passengers have spent their money, they feel the experience was worth it.”
A proposal to improve the port’s layout was also discussed.
The idea is to create a dedicated space for registered taxis and official tour operators, aiming to mitigate the issue of unregistered operators offering substandard tours.
Erongo Tourism Forum representative Annett Kötting said it is important that Namibia support the cruise line industry.
“We aim for it to be a sustainable avenue for everyone,” she said.
With a new cruise season fast approaching, Kötting emphasised the urgency of resolving the challenges to ensure a sustainable and secure tourism experience for all visitors.
“Taxi associations play a pivotal role here,” she said.
“It’s essential to consider registering taxis, possibly creating two distinct lines at the port: one for official tour operators, and another for registered taxis. This could alleviate some of the chaos.”
Erongo police commander commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona addressed the vulnerabilities of tourists, highlighting their lack of local environmental awareness.
He said unregulated taxi drivers “often approach tourists haphazardly, offering rides without any form of regulation or standard”.
To remedy this, there are plans to establish information centres and temporary meeting points.
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