The Walvis Bay Tourism Forum brought together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and public officials under the theme “Shaping the Future of Tourism” to strengthen the town’s economy through collaboration and sustainable tourism development.

The two-day forum aimed at improving coordination between stakeholders in the tourism sector while equipping local operators with practical skills to enhance service delivery and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global market.

Opening the event, Councillor Sharon Roodt addressed delegates on behalf of the Deputy Mayor of Walvis Bay, Miina Hangula, reaffirming the municipality’s commitment to empowering local communities and supporting economic growth. Roodt emphasised the importance of collaboration among tourism stakeholders and highlighted the value of the training sessions being offered during the forum. “These masterclasses are practical, action-oriented and tailored to the needs identified in 2024. I encourage you to take full advantage of them, as gaining this level of knowledge independently would cost tens of thousands of dollars,” she said.

The forum features a series of masterclasses designed to strengthen the capabilities of local tourism operators. Topics include tourism product development, strategic pricing, branding, and digital marketing. One of the sessions on tourism product development and pricing was facilitated by Digu Thephilus //Naobeb, while branding and digital marketing was presented by entrepreneur Nrupesh Soni. Chairperson of the Walvis Bay Tourism Advisory Board, Mathieu Connor, expressed appreciation to the Walvis Bay Municipality for its support in hosting the event, including providing the venue and refreshments.

He noted that the collaboration has made high-level expertise accessible to a wide range of participants, from small guesthouse owners to established tour operators. “This is helping to foster excellence and strengthen compliance across the region,” Connor said.

By Rudi Bowe