Author: Stalin Kay

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.

During the year under review, NWR managed to cut its operating loss by 66%, from N$97 million in 2021 to N$33 million in 2022. Revenue improved by 74%, from N$167 million in 2021 to N$290 million. This remarkable effort reflects NWR’s dedication to sustainability and innovation, as well as its ongoing efforts to streamline operations and enhance customer experience. While NWR is still in a loss-making situation, the company’s management is confident that if the same improvement trend continues, a profit is certain in the near future. NWR remains committed to delivering exceptional service to its guests and exploring new ways of enhancing its service offerings.

In addition to financial performance, NWR is proud to report that it is in compliance with statutory requirements and governance regulations. The Governance Agreement and board members’ Performance Agreements with the Shareholder, as envisaged by the Public Enterprises Governance Act, 2019 (Act No.1 of 2019) are being finalised, ensuring that NWR continues to uphold the highest standards of corporate responsibility.

The Minister of Finance and Public Enterprise, Mr Iipumbu Shiimi congratulated NWR for once again setting a great example in presenting its audit report on time. “Allow me to thank the NWR team for setting a great example in finalising its audit on time. This is not something that is common in the State Owned Enterprise sector. This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of the entire NWR team, and it underscores the company’s commitment to transparency and accountability” he said.

The Chairman of the board, Ambassodor Haroldt /Urib highlighted NWR’s commitment to ensuring Namibians get an opportunity to experience leisure travel. “As in previous years, NWR is dedicated to introducing specials and discounts to its domestic market, aimed at encouraging domestic travellers to sign up for, and use, the Namleisure card. The Namleisure card entitles Namibians to a 50% discount on accommodation and is aimed at promoting tourism within the country. The company is pleased to note that new cardholders for the domestic market continue to grow, providing an opportunity for Namibians to visit and know their own country” the Chairperson said.

Overall, NWR’s Annual Report reflects a commitment to excellence in all areas of its operations. The company remains dedicated to providing exceptional service to its guests, while also upholding the highest standards of corporate responsibility and accountability.

Introducing “Share your #NWRMoments”, an interactive competition running across all NWR social media accounts that encourages everyone to share their post-pandemic memories at any of our resorts, NWR sees this competition as a way of giving back to the locals that have not only supported NWR through the pandemic but have remained loyal over time.

The competition also aims to promote commerce, tourism, and travel across Namibia – encouraging locals and international tourists alike to explore the beauty of our country, a land of contrast. Participants stand a chance to win one of five 2-night experiences at an NWR resort of their choice, excluding flights or transportation.

“We’re excited to launch this competition,” said Nelson Ashipala, Corporate Communications Manager. “This is an opportunity to improve our products and services through valuable customer feedback. It also allows Namibians to experience the newly renovated facilities first. We look forward to seeing people’s amazing experiences at our resorts. The timing is also right as many are now using their Black Friday vouchers.”

The launch will take place on the 9th of December and will see a few selected Namibian Influencers travel to the southern parts of the country to enjoy the beauty and hospitality.

To enter, Namibians and visitors from around the world can visit https://www.nwr.com.na/competition for more information. Entries open Friday, 9 December 2022, and close Wednesday, 1 February 2023, at midnight Central African Time (CAT).