WINDHOEK, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Namibia on Thursday launched a national initiative to improve customer service in the tourism sector, which officials said remains vital to the country's economic and social development.
The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) launched the National Customer Service Excellence Initiative in Windhoek under the theme "Excellence in Service: Raising the Bar for Namibia."
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Indileni Daniel said service delivery should no longer be viewed as a "soft issue," but as a major competitive advantage in the global tourism market.
"This initiative represents our shared dedication to enhancing the standards of service delivery throughout our country," she said, adding that every service encounter helps shape Namibia's image as a destination.
Daniel said ports of entry, national parks and tourism facilities are among the first places where visitors experience Namibia, making it important to embed service excellence in the country's tourism culture.
According to Namibia's 2022 Tourism Satellite Account report, the sector directly contributed 6.9 percent to the country's gross domestic product in 2022.
During the event, the NTB signed an agreement with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security to strengthen service delivery at ports of entry through customer service training for immigration officials.
Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security Lucia Iipumbu said the partnership will help improve service standards at ports of entry, strengthen customer care, and support joint public awareness on visa and entry requirements.
The agreement will also equip immigration officials with additional skills in areas such as conflict resolution, stress management and cultural awareness, she added. ■