Walvis Bay is positioning itself to become a more competitive and inclusive tourism destination as stakeholders gathered for the town's Tourism Forum under the theme "Sharing the Future of Tourism".

Speaking at the opening of the forum, Deputy Mayor Miina Hangula said the tourism sector remains a key driver of livelihoods and economic growth, especially at a time when global travel trends and consumer expectations are rapidly changing.

Hangula said the forum brings together government officials, tourism operators, investors, entrepreneurs and community representatives to strengthen collaboration and explore innovative ways to grow the sector.

She noted that the lessons learned from the 2024 training needs analysis revealed challenges facing local tourism operators, including capacity gaps and barriers to accessing new markets.

In response, the former introduced three free tourism masterclasses for registered participants, focusing on product development, pricing and branding strategies, as well as digital marketing.

According to Hangula, the training sessions are aimed at equipping local operators with practical skills to improve their competitiveness and attract more visitors.

"At a time of rapid change in consumer expectations, technology, and global travel patterns, gatherings like this are essential. They offer us a space to share experience, to test new ideas, and to build the partnerships we need if our tourism offerings are to remain competitive, resilient, and inclusive."

She further called on stakeholders to focus on concrete solutions that will diversify tourism offerings and improve benefits to reach communities across Walvis Bay.