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The Namibia Tourism Bourd (NTB) was established by an act of Parliament, referred to as the Namibia Tourism Board Act, 2000 (Act 21 of 2000) to, regulate the tourism industry and to market Namibia as a tourism destination.
As a statutory body of government agency, the NTB is the only legal national tourism organisation or authority in Namibia mandated by Government to regulate the industry.
Structures of the Board
A Board of Directors, appointed by the Minister of Environment and Tourism, governs the NTB.
The Board comprises two members from the private sector and three government officials drawn from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Finance, and from Trade and Industry. The Board members in turn appoint the NTB’s executive.
Functions of the Board are:
- To promote tourism by encouraging persons to travel to and within Namibia;
- To take measures to ensure that services rendered and facilities provided to tourists comply with prescribed standards;
- To consider and decide on applications for registration of accommodation establishments and regulated business and to grade accommodation establishments;
- To promote the training of persons engaged or to be engaged in the tourism industry to ensure that they are adequately trained to provide services pertaining to that industry;
- To promote the development of the tourism industry and to promote environmentally sustainable tourism by actively supporting the long term conservation, maintenance and development of the natural resource base of Namibia;
- To give advice and guidance to persons engaged in the tourism industry;
- To promote tourism activities on a national, regional and local level, including the promotion of private sector associations to represent their members in the tourism industry;
- To advice the Minister on any matter relating to:
- The formulation or implementation of national policy on tourism, including the creation of incentives to encourage tourism development projects.
- The administration of this Act or any other law relating to the tourism industry.
- To carry out any other function conferred or imposed on the Board by or under this Act or any other law.
Regulatory Framework
One of the main responsibilities of the NBT is to regulate the tourism industry by administering and enforcing various regulatory instruments such as the NBT Act, 2000 (Act No. 21 of 2000), regulations prescribing the minimum requirements that must be complied with by any accommodation or regulated tourism business.
Others that are not registered will be considered illegal business or establishments. Another way to ensure quality is through awarding star grades for superior service delivery and physical facilities, in addition to the minimum prescribed requirements.
Enforcement of Regulations
Tourism inspectors carry out routine grading and registration inspections to enforce the maintenance of minimum standards and to ensure that businesses or establishments deserve the right to retain registration or star grading.
Other law enforcement agencies such as the police, traffic officers, road inspectors and immigration officials stationed at border posts can also enforce these regulations as they deem appropriate.
Who Should Register with the NBT
The following businesses and establishments are required under the Namibia Tourism Board Act, 2000 to register with the NTB.
Accommodation:
Backpackers’ hotels, camping and caravan parks, guest farms, guest houses, hotels, hotel pensions, rest camps, self-catering, bed and breakfast establishments, campsites, lodges, tented lodges, resorts and permanent tented camps.
Regulated Businesses:
Activity operators, air charter companies, booking agents, conference centres, foreign tour operators, shuttle and transport service operators, tour facilitators, tour and safari operators, trophy hunting operators and vehicle/car hire companies.
The duty of tourists or visitors to Namibia
To avoid disappointment make sure that you only deal with accommodation establishments
and tourism businesses that are registered with the NBT. To find out more about the Namibian Tourism Board click here.
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