The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism has called on rural communities to be creative and partake in the tourism sector.

This was stated during the celebration of World Tourism Day at Nkurenkuru.

Role players are urged to come up with innovative ideas to position the country as a destination for cultural and heritage experiences, given the rich and diverse cultures of the two Kavango Regions.

At present, the Kavango West Region is considered a transit hub instead of a tourist hub.

"More should therefore be done by the residents to tap into the tourism value chain in order to ensure that tourists do not just drive through the Kavango West Region but indeed stop and sleepover for a few days and spend money in the local economy that will eventually create jobs," said Seblon Chicalu, the Director of Tourism and Gaming.

Young people are called upon to become involved and actively participate in the tourism business.

A local businessman, Oiva Haipumbu, says the region has investment opportunities in the tourism industry.

To improve and promote capital tourism, the leadership has requested the ministry set up a tourism information hub in the region.

The Kavango West Region also has six community forests and one conservancy.

The tourism inflow reported that the country recorded a 98% increase in international tourist arrivals, from 232,756 in 2021 to 461,027 last year.