Until recently, the tourism sector in Namibia was developed, owned, managed and controlled by a minority private sector group, which offered traditional tourism products such as wildlife, desert and wilderness environments, safaris and the heritage of Namibia’s colonial past. After its independence in 1990, the Namibian government formulated policies and issued legislation to promote sustainable tourism and involve all communities throughout the country in tourism and natural resource management, including wildlife conservation.

The rapid growth of community-based tourism gave rise to the need for an association (NACOBTA) to champion their cause and promote the use of the natural and cultural resources of their communities as tourist attractions, since they generate economic benefits. Various communities involved in tourism initiated NACOBTA in 1995. At present, the organisation has 38 member enterprises, including conservancies, camp sites, rest camps, traditional villages, craft centres, museums and indigenous tour guides. A further number of communities are assisted in initiating tourism enterprises. NACOBTA is directed by a 7-member management committee, each active in a community based tourism enterprise. NACOBTA collaborates closely with the private sector in the achievement of its aims to spread involvement in community-based tourism and its benefits in the whole of Namibia. The government’s role is to maintain a close liaison with NACOBTA and give it its full support.

NACOBTA gains the co-operation of communities through skill development sessions, which initiate them and improve their skills in tourism and tourism-related businesses. It also promotes and markets their products in national and international tourism fairs (e.g. a National marketing and promotion stand at the Namibia Craft Centre, Windhoek; ITB trade fair in March 1998). Similarly, NACOBTA involves communities in roles of responsibility in the management of CBT enterprises.

Community-based tourism; job creation, poverty alleviation, community participation and economic growth.

Since 1995 the increase of community participation contributed to the success of CBT. Some examples include:

• 40 CBT enterprises coordinated by NACOBTA all over Namibia.

• 17 tourism workshops and training courses organised by NACOBTA in the last three years, involving residents from five out of ten regions.

• Young people and women have been active leaders in initiating tourism development activities in their areas

• There has been an increase in public awareness and understanding about tourism, CBT, tourists, environmental conservation (not only as a sustainable end in itself but also the benefits to be derived from it), and increased knowledge of the different types of tourism facilities and attractions in the various communities.

• Ownership, control and development of tourism ceased to be the prerogative of a select few.

• Increase in private sector- community partnerships.

• NACOBTA, as a grassroots NGO of communities involved in tourism, managed to maintain its autonomy without undue external interferences in its affairs.

• Communities have formed conservancies and management committees, providing an opportunity for traditional authorities to maintain their leadership role.

• Community-based tourism is a viable option for generating economic opportunities, fostering environmental conservation and keeping alive traditional cultures and customs in rural or isolated areas of African countries.

• The direct involvement and participation of local indigenous communities in the development and management of small tourism enterprises is a decisive factor in their success and their contribution to the sustainable development of such communities

• Co-operative arrangements among small tourism companies are a key element in aspects such as the training of human resources, the marketing and promotion of tourism services, access to financial resources, and negotiation with large tour operators.

Ms. Maxi Louis, Mr. Yabes Yariseb; Mr. Wouter Schalken;
Mr. Elias Xoagub NACOBTA
P. O. Box 86099
18 Liliencron Street
Windhoek, Namibia
Tel. (264 0) 61 250558; Fax (264 0) 61 222647
E-mail: nacobta@iafrica.com.na