KAZA conservation area boosts sustainable tourism, minister says

WINDHOEK, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Namibian Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta on Wednesday underscored the significance of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) region in unlocking the country's tourism economic opportunities.

Speaking at the opening of the Namibia Tourism Expo in Windhoek, Shifeta highlighted the significance of KAZA in enhancing visitor experiences and bolstering the tourism sector's economic viability

"KAZA is a tourism destination that provides a significant economic link or hub for building robust ecological systems and sustainable tourism economy to benefit the peoples of our five countries," Shifeta said. The conservation area spans five southern African countries, namely Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Shifeta highlighted the economic benefits of KAZA, particularly for rural communities and youth, through community-based tourism enterprises.

Tourism is recognized as a significant contributor to the generation of foreign exchange earnings, investments, revenue, employment creation, rural development, poverty reduction and to the growth of the country's economy, he said.

According to the 2022 Namibia Tourist Satellite Account Report, tourism in Namibia contributed 6.9 percent to the gross domestic product and provided direct employment for 7.9 percent of the total workforce in 2022.