Category: News

Khorixas Town, strategically positioned along the most scenic route and forming part of the gateway through the tourism triangle, also serves as the gateway to the Kunene region. Recognising the town’s pivotal role in promoting tourism, NWR is keenly aware of the importance of upholding cleanliness standards to enhance the overall visitor experience.

The initiative reflects NWR’s dedication to environmental responsibility and underscores the organisation’s ongoing efforts to contribute positively to local communities. By providing practical resources such as gloves, refuse bags, and masks, NWR aims to empower Khorixas in its mission to keep the town and its surroundings clean and welcoming.

Handing over the donation, NWR spokesperson, Mr Nelson Ashipala highlighted the importance of partnerships between organisations. “We see lots of traffic passing through Khorixas. We know this because we operate here. The least we could do is to ensure that we keep this beautiful town of ours clean” he said.

From November 2022 to November 2023, a total of 511,984 European occupants visited Namibia Wildlife Resorts facilities, with an overwhelming majority, 35 013 or about 7% of our total clients, originating from Germany. South Africa’s market has shown resilience, contributing 90,296 guests to our resorts. We are also seeing an interest from the Botswana market, with 394 guests having visited our facilities.

Out of total of 511 984 clients, 22 622 are Namibian luxury travellers. This equates to 4% of our local guests.

Mr. Nelson Ashipala, NWR spokesperson, voiced the organisation’s concern and optimism for increased local engagement. “We are disappointed that more Namibians have not embraced the opportunity to explore the beauty of their own country through travel. While we welcome and appreciate our European visitors, we believe that local tourism is an essential component of our industry’s success.”

Mr. Ashipala highlighted the proactive measures NWR is taking to encourage domestic tourism. “We understand that travel is a significant investment, and to make it more accessible for Namibians, we currently have special promotions running. These exclusive offers are tailored to entice our fellow citizens to experience the unparalleled beauty and hospitality our resorts have to offer. The SADC special is one of these.”

The training initiative, which commenced at two centers, Khorixas Rest Camp and Gross Barmen Resort, included 80 apprentices, of which 69 officially graduated. This comprehensive program was made possible through the funding provided under the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) initiative, facilitated by the Namibia Training Authority. Additionally, support was extended by the Kunene Regional Council, funding seven private students, and an additional 12 private students specialising in tour guiding.

On this occasion, 69 trainees successfully completed their courses, earning qualifications in diverse areas such as front office operations, commercial cookery, housekeeping operations, food and beverage services, and local tourism guiding at level 3. The diverse skill set acquired by the graduates positions them as valuable assets to the burgeoning hospitality and tourism industry in Namibia.

The importance of this achievement is underscored by the recognition of the tourism sector in Namibia’s National Development Plan 5 (NDP 5). The plan identifies the Tourism Industry as a pivotal contributor to the country’s economic growth. The successful graduation of these trainees aligns with the nation’s broader goals, emphasising the critical role that a skilled and motivated workforce plays in achieving economic objectives.

These debts included financial obligations to both development financial institutions and commercial funding organisations, posing a long-standing financial challenge for the company. Furthermore, NWR has cleared all statutory debts, including historical tax payments owed to the Namibia Revenue Agency (NAMRA). The total debt was N$ 93 844 091.25.

The Managing Director, Dr Matthias Ngwangwama, expressed immense delight at this remarkable accomplishment, acknowledging that long-term debts had been a persistent challenge since the company’s inception. The MD thanked the NWR team for their unwavering commitment to sustainability. The Managing Director further stated, “I am overjoyed that we were able to pay off our long-term and statutory debts just two years after the Covid-19 outbreak, which nearly devastated the tourism industry. This accomplishment means that we can now allocate the revenue generated from our operations to cover other essential requirements, such as maintenance and employee training and development, in the future.

NWR’s success in becoming debt-free marks a significant turning point in its financial history and sets the stage for a future of financial stability and growth. The company remains dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism in Namibia and looks forward to continuing its positive impact on the country’s economy and natural heritage.

Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) hereby announces the arrival of 100 apprentices from the Inter-Cultural Relations Foundation in Germany, who will be joining our team to enhance maintenance and skill transfer efforts in NWR’s hospitality sector. This exceptional partnership embodies the close ties between our two nations and our mutual commitment to fostering cultural exchange and sustainable development.

Led by Mr. Joachim Keferstein, this delegation of German apprentices with vocational and technical expertise are scheduled to arrive in Namibia in three groups, with the first group landing on October 26, 2023. The second group will follow in November, and the final group is set to arrive in February 2024. These apprentices will be distributed across multiple NWR resorts throughout Namibia, where they will contribute their expertise to maintenance operations, while also benefiting from the experiences and insights of our highly skilled local staff.

NWR spokesperson, Mr Nelson Ashipala, expressed the significance of this diplomatic initiative, stating, “We are excited about this relationship with the Inter-Cultural Relations Foundation from the Federal Republic of Germany. Skill transfer is of paramount importance to our industry, and this collaboration offers a unique opportunity for us to learn from our German partners as they, in turn, gain from our distinctive experiences. With many interns already engaged across our camps, this is an opportune moment for them to benefit from the rich knowledge shared by this esteemed delegation.”

This collaboration symbolises the ongoing commitment of both Namibia and Germany to promote international cooperation and intercultural exchange, fostering mutual understanding and long-lasting relationships. It is a testament to the enduring partnership between our nations and the shared vision of progress and collaboration.

NWR has long been dedicated to creating lasting value for society by providing students and interns with invaluable market experience within the field of hospitality. Beyond its core operations, NWR manages two dedicated hospitality institutes at Gross Barmen in Okahandja and Khorixas. These institutes have not only produced industry-ready professionals but have also played a pivotal role in bolstering the tourism and hospitality sector of Namibia.

In addition to nurturing talent within its own institutes, NWR extends its commitment to the broader community by engaging students from various educational institutions. Presently, NWR has approximately 100 students on its roster, all of whom are gaining invaluable industry exposure and hands-on experience.

Mr. Nelson Ashipala, NWR’s Communications Manager, expressed his delight upon receiving this prestigious award. He remarked, “An award of this magnitude truly excites us, as it serves as a testament to our unwavering dedication to nurturing the next generation of hospitality professionals. We believe that investing in young talent is pivotal for the growth of our industry and the nation as a whole. This recognition reaffirms that we are on the right path, and we are committed to continuing our efforts in this direction.”

“NWR remains committed to its mission of not only providing world-class hospitality services but also serving as a beacon of opportunity for aspiring individuals seeking to embark on a rewarding career in the hospitality and tourism industry”, he further added.

The newly acquired QR code scanners will provide our valued clients with a convenient and efficient way to register their feedback, including any complaints or suggestions they may have. FNB’s renowned expertise in handling customer complaints has served as an inspiration to us, and we eagerly anticipate adopting similar strategies to raise the bar for guest satisfaction at our resorts.

Speaking on behalf of FNB, Mr. Hans Bolle, an Account Executive emphasised the importance of this partnership, stating, “We firmly believe that when people in Namibia speak of tourism, they are speaking about NWR. This gesture will undoubtedly contribute to strengthening the NWR brand by minimising complaints and ensuring a seamless guest experience.”

Nelson Ashipala, Communications Manager at NWR, acknowledged the challenges posed by ongoing heavy maintenance efforts, saying, “Even as we diligently work on the maintenance of our resorts, we recognise the need for innovative communication channels. We earnestly appeal to all our clients visiting our resorts to make use of this system instead of resorting to airing their concerns on social media platforms. This new initiative will enable our resort managers to address all issues immediately.”

The total investment for these QR code scanners amounts to approximately N$50,000, reflecting FNB’s commitment to enhancing the guest experience within Namibia’s tourism sector.

NWR expresses its deep gratitude to FNB for this invaluable contribution, which will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in ensuring that our guests enjoy an outstanding and memorable experience at our resorts. We look forward to a successful partnership with FNB as we continue to grow and develop Namibia’s tourism industry.

The trust placed in NWR to host such a significant event has filled us with excitement and and shows the organiser’s confidence in our brand. With 65 exhibitors lined up, this fair promises to be an outstanding platform for showcasing innovation and industry excellence. NWR is particularly delighted about the local vendors who stand to benefit significantly from this exposure.

Mr Nelson Ashipala, Manager for Corporate Communications at NWR, commented on the magnitude of the event, saying, “The Standard Bank BIOMASS FAIR 2023 is so monumental that we’ve had to bring in additional staff from outside to ensure everything runs smoothly. We are fully equipped and prepared to deliver a memorable experience for all. It will be our first time to hold an event of this magnitude, so one can just imagine the adrenaline but also the excitement.”

“The exhibiton area has been set up, grounds prepared, and extra staff members have been brought in, so we are ready” he added. The Standard Bank BIOMASS FAIR 2023 promises a diverse program featuring an exhibition, symposium, and a music concert scheduled for the 8th of September. Unfortunately, the popularity of this event has led to Gross Barmen being fully booked out over the days of the event, but we extend a warm invitation to day visitors to come and enjoy the festivities

About the BIOMASS FAIR

Implemented by partners, the Namibia Biomass Industry Group (N-BiG), the Charcoal Association of Namibia (CAoN), formerly known as Namibia Charcoal Association (NCA), and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), the BIOMASS FAIR is an event tailored toward the blossoming bush biomass sector in Namibia and the region at large. By bringing together stakeholders of the growing biomass sector, the industry is strengthened, and new opportunities can be explored. The annual fair provides an excellent opportunity for networking and exchanging of best practices and knowledge on bush control and biomass utilisation. The BIOMASS FAIR takes place over three days, including a Research Symposium, a Biomass Industry Conference, and a Biomass Expo showcasing technology and field demonstrations. Each specific event is targeted and has a specific purpose, with the overall aim of formalising and promoting the budding biomass industry in Namibia.