Earlier this year, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) took a decision to advertise a Sandwich Harbour tourism management concession in a competitive tender to address a number of challenges in the area.

However, some tour operators are against the concession, saying they do not know what it seeks to address, other than eliminating competition and monopolising the harbour. 

Sandwich Harbour, known for its breathtaking scenery where the Namib Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean, is part of the Namib Naukluft Park and is located about 80 kilometres south of Walvis Bay. 

With its unique natural landscape, such as giant sand dunes that run straight into the ocean, lagoons, and diverse birdlife, the harbour has become one of the country's major tourist attractions. 

Mostly accessible by four-by-four vehicles, the ministry has been finding it difficult to constantly monitor and control the area as it is in a remote area.

Against this background, the ministry decided to make it a tourism management concession to ensure proper management of the area. 

In response, the chief spokesperson of the ministry said all current tour operators will continue to have access to the Sandwich Harbour area as usual, as long as they pay all relevant fees.

No exclusive rights will be given to any company to conduct tours in the harbour.

Romeo Muyunda also revealed that the tender hasn't been awarded yet as the matter is in court due to disputes surrounding the concession harbour tender.