The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has commissioned a consultancy team to develop a National Tourism Spatial Development Master Plan for Namibia.

The consultants began their first engagement in the Otjozondjupa Region, with visits to other regions set to follow.

Dr Joseph Okori from Afri Enviro Consult said the Master Plan will guide the spatial development of tourism across all 14 regions.

"This is a very important document because it looks at the spatial development of where the tourism industry can develop across the 14 regions of this country. The tourism economy is a crucial sector and contributes to the GDP of this country."

He said the plan focuses on sustainability, enhancing key tourist attractions, community involvement, skills development, innovation, and promoting investment.

The Ministry is engaging media, tourism stakeholders, government agencies, NGOs, financial institutions, community representatives, and other interested parties.

Consulting expert Tumelo Matjekane urged stakeholders to participate actively.

"Do not hold back. It is a task that requires as much of your participation as possible. How is the population growing—you know better than us. How is land use and development changing? There’s urbanisation. Are we seeing more clusters being built instead of remote homesteads, and what does that mean to support tourism?"

Due to public holidays and travel, attendance at the Otjiwarongo session was low.

The consultants will return to Otjozondjupa to engage with those who missed the first session.