NWR looks to the future

By Confidente Reporter

WITH the Namibian Tourism Industry currently experiencing one of its biggest challenges in recorded history, the Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) has adjusted its business operations to withstand the challenges brought about by Covid-19.

According to NWR Managing Director Dr Matthias Ngwangwama, the company has embarked on various actions, such as signing a Memorandum of Understanding with its social partner the Namibia Public Workers Union (NAPWU) which resulted in cost-cutting measures for the organisation.

Equally, NWR has also adopted a new pricing model targeting the domestic market, which was able to sustain its operations thus far.

Ngwangwama however said that it is no secret that the domestic market alone is not sufficient to sustain the tourism sector.

He said the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) which opened on September 1 as part of the Tourism Revival Initiative announced by the government is a much-needed encouragement to the sector and NWR in particular.

“We are aware that the opening of the HKIA is one of the steps towards the revival of the industry. We are hopeful that through its opening, a more positive sentiment will begin to filter into the industry as international travellers start arriving,” said Ngwangwama.

He further noted that, before the official opening of the HKIA, the industry had been and continues to be affected by the pandemic.

Similarly, some of the travel limitations cast further doubt on any company in the industry recovering in the short-term.

“We are, therefore, very mindful of the role that we fulfil in the Namibian business arena and social ecosystem.

Thus as we look to the future, we understand that there is a long way to go before the sector experiences some of the occupancies it had pre-Covid-19,” he said.