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Community based tourism in Namibia

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Namibia has outstanding natural resources which offer valuable tourism potential, and the conservation of such resources is a prominent concern for the country. A key feature of this conservation agenda is community benefits from natural resources which is challenging in the light of isolated remote areas, lacking basic public services and infrastructure and with under-developed human and social capital.

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Through a number of linked activities, ComMark supports efforts around the enabling environment for tourism development in Namibia, as well as the effective integration of communities into a modern, sophisticated expert service industry. The pioneering status in conservation and tourism linkages applied in Namibia are being documented and adapted for implementation across the Southern African region. 

The pioneering status in conservation and tourism linkages applied in Namibia are being documented and adapted for implementation across the Southern African region.

Case Studies and Success Stories

Conservancy-based Tourism Enterprises (CBTEs) In Namibia and the Business of Tourism
A Private Sector Point of View: Conservancy-based Tourism Enterprises (CBTEs) In Namibia and the Business of Tourism

April, 2010
The objective of this ComMark Trust study, prepared by the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations (FENATA), was to investigate private sector perceptions of joint-venture partnerships with CBTEs and use the knowledge gained to work towards increasing private sector investment in communal conservancies. The project surveyed 12 of the 19 communal conservancies currently in operation in Namibia in an effort to:

    • address and clarify the varied perceptions about the true state of affairs with regard to CBTE successes and/or failures and the relationships between private-sector investors and the communities involved in joint ventures; and
    • gain a better understanding of joint-venture processes and challenges, and thus contribute constructively towards a more meaningful engagement by Fenata as the private-sector representative body in organised tourism in Namibia.