Divisions
The Directorate of Tourism has two divisions:
• Tourism Development
• Gambling
Division: Tourism Development
The Division of Tourism Development is further sub-divided into two divisions, Policy, Planning and Information Management and Community-based tourism.
Sub-division: Policy, Planning and Information Management
The primary functions of the sub-division – Policy, Planning and Information Management - are to develop tourism policies, guidelines and frameworks that are consistent with high-value tourism activities with low impact on the environment.
The detailed National Policy on Tourism for Namibia, published 04 December 2008, can be downloaded here.
This sub-division also plans and coordinates activities aimed at supporting the sectoral objectives as well as the implementation of the strategic goals of the Directorate. It also assists with community-based related planning by providing advice on issues related to this sector of the industry.
The Policy, Planning and Information Management sub-division is responsible for compiling reliable information about tourism’s real contribution to national economic growth.
The other core function of this sub-division is to compile, publish and distribute tourism related statistics and surveys, as well as statistics and data on investment opportunities in the tourism sector.
An example of this function is the attached Tourism Arrival Tables 2008.xls
Sub-division: Community-based Tourism
The functions of the Community-based Tourism sub-division include efforts to develop, promote and facilitate community-based tourism with the aim of contributing to poverty reduction, spreading the benefits of tourism and to enhance rural development. This sub-division also has the responsibility of monitoring and evaluating Community-based Tourism Enterprises and joint venture agreements.
In this important, growing sector of tourism, the Community-based tourism sub-division also facilitates capacity building of the community management committees, awareness raising on the joint venture process and tourism in general, and advises communities on tourism trends and provide mentorship.
In 2010, Namibia’s Communal Conservancy Tourism Sector was nominated for World Travel & Tourism Council’s prestigious Tourism for Tomorrow awards.
Within the Communal Conservancy Tourism Sector, there are now 29 formal joint-venture (JV) lodges and campsites that work in collaboration with their host communities. In addition, there are 4 JV’s operating in principle with a signed agreement pending, and another 11 ventures with whom the conservancies are negotiating.
All the JV’s in the communal conservancies combined represent 1,356 bed nights, 789 full-time jobs and over 250 seasonal positions. More than N$ 145 million (US$ 20 million) has been invested in tourism JV’s in communal conservancies by the private sector since 1998. The number of joint venture lodge agreements has increased 111% since 2005.
Tourism ventures contribute to livelihoods in the region where they operate in multiple ways, i ncluding direct contractual cash payments to conservancies, salaries for employees, staff training, and related benefits such as payments of cash and in-kind contributions (equipment, donated services, etc.) to village development committees, local schools, etc.
These are new or additional activities which give many households access to cash and other benefits that they never had before, and that would not have been possible prior to the passage of Namibia’s innovative conservancy legislation in 1996.
Division: Gambling
The Division of Gambling is further sub-divided into two divisions, Gambling Inspection and State Lotteries.
Sub-division: Gambling Inspection
The core function of the Gambling Inspection sub-division is to license, implement, regulate, control, inspect and supervise the conduct of gambling in Namibia.
This sub-division also has the responsibility of inspecting and examining all premises wherein gambling is conducted or gambling devices or equipment used in gaming are located, sold or distributed, and to summarily seize, remove and impound without notice of hearing from such premises any equipment, gaming devices, supplies, books or records for the purpose of examination, testing and inspection.
The Gambling Inspection sub-division serves as the secretariat of the Baling and Casino Board and to carry out functions and duties as required by the Board.
Sub-division: State Lotteries
Functions
The State Lotteries sub-division is responsible or the establishment of a Lotteries Board for the promotion and conduct of the National Lotteries and the administration of the National Lotteries Trust Fund for the authorization, supervision and control of the Benevolent Lotteries and for the matters incidental thereto.