Reggie Kieda, repping Air Namibia
Reggie with Malcolm Griffiths, huge Namibia fan
Not how you pictured Africa, I'll bet!
Marion Duffner & Madelaine Virag of Away by TTI
Last week, I knew one thing about Namibia: it’s in Africa.
This week I know a whole lot more, thanks to a presentation by the Namibia Tourism Board and Air Namibia. And I also know it’s now firmly on my Bucket List.
What makes this country located northwest of South Africa so special seems to be a combination of history and geography. Once a German colony, the country – even though it’s almost as big as Ontario, has a population of only some 2 million and still boasts some of that “German efficiency” as tourism rep Malcolm Griffiths told us. He was delighted to discover how reliable cell phone service is, even in remote areas. Namibia also has hotel names your clients will recognize, including Hilton and Kampinski.
And how often do you hear “fly-drive” used in connection with an African holiday? Clients can take a week or so to do a wonderful-sounding tour on reliable roads from South Africa’s Cape Town up to Namibia’s capital Windhoek (pronounced “vind-hook”).
Wildlife enthusiasts will not be disappointed (lions and tigers, oh my!) but there’s more. Many lodges are located within national parks, one with luxury tented rooms on stilts, designed for game viewing. “Conservancy has been built into the constitution,” explained Griffiths, “So the locals are working very hard to ensure that this valuable resource is maintained.”
Namibia also boasts the world’s 2nd largest canyon (after the Grand Canyon). Spectacular sand dunes, the largest in the world, are themselves proving a tourist attraction, especially for extreme sports such as sand-boarding and sand-skiing.
So who’s the ideal client for Namibia? “Someone who’s been to Africa a couple of times. The outdoors enthusiast, the curious conservationist and experience seekers,” says Griffiths. “Everyone feels a connection with the land.”
Reggie Kieda of Air Namibia told us that their service from FRA is the fastest connection to Namibia, a 9 ½ hour overnight flight that leaves in the evening. And they pay 7% on published fares!
Maybe I’ll move Namibia up my Bucket List!
