Full report LR.pdf - DLIST Benguela

NACOMA Project – Preparation PhaseReview of Policy and Legislation Pertaining to Coastal Zone Managementenvironmental policy and other relevant policies to develop asustainable mining industry.5.2.5 Tourism:A Tourism Policy is in draft form. The purpose of the draft Policy is topresent a vision for tourism in Namibia in the next decade and definingthe roles of stakeholders. The objective of the draft policy is to seekdiversification of the tourism product, emphasising the development ofcultural and natural resources to be used in a sustainable manner withmaximized benefits, especially for previously disadvantaged groups.The Policy for the Promotion of Community-based Tourism (1995)provides a framework intended to ensure that communities have accessto opportunities in tourism development, and that they are able to sharein the benefits of tourism activities that take place on communal land.There is however some debate in certain circles on whetherconservancies and community-based tourism does not in some casesthe reverse result from what is stated above as the intention, preciselybecause an illusion is created that provision has been made forcommunities when in fact they have been “pigeon-holed” into specialcases like conservancies while the existing private sector reap the bigincome from tourism. The Namibia Tourism Board Act no 21 of 2000establishes the Namibian Tourism Board which has to promote thedevelopment of the tourism industry, both within Namibia and fromabroad. It relates to facilities and standards, registration ofaccommodation establishments, promote training of people involved inthe industry, and promote environmentally sustainable tourism byactively supporting the long-term conservation, maintenance anddevelopment of the tourism-related natural resource base of Namibia.19