ATWS to make its debut on African soil

ATWS Namibia

With only 51 days left before the Adventure Travel World Summit kicks off on 26 October in Windhoek and Swakopmund, preparations are at an advanced stage. This is the first time the ATWS summit is hosted on the African continent.

At least 650 adventure tourism officials from 60 different countries will head to Namibia for five adventure packed days.During the summit, a 2-day adventure package will offer an opportunity for delegates to visit 18 conservancies and 28 joint-venture lodges and learn from their field experience.

“The ATWS promises to be profitable, environmentally friendly and beneficial to every Namibian.We were chosen to host this very important event because of our commitment to conservancies and self-empowerment through tourism. Namibia offers many types of adventure and just the mere fact of being in Namibia is an adventure on its own accord,” said Sem Shikongo, Director of Tourism in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

Sixty two media representatives from across the world will also be part of the summit delegates and according to Shikongo, at least 60 full-length articles will be written during the summit. “The country will benefit from an estimated N$26 million worth of marketing,” said Shikongo.

He said although the government had only invested around N$10 million, many companies have already shown their support both with money and in kind. Naming the benefits he said.”Of the 650 delegates, about 15% of them will travel will their families and we can expect each delegate to spend on average N$2500.Windhoek delegates will spend around N$4.4 million and those in Swakopmund will spend an estimated N$7.7 million because they will spend more days there,” said Shikongo.

Adding airline seats and other expenditures such as excursions, the total direct contribution to the economy according to Shikongo, will be N$51.7 million. The summit is inspired by the theme “Imagine, Inspire and Invest”. Shikongo said the two host committees in Windhoek and Swakopmund have been hard at work and have organised a few events prior to the summit.

Apart from the Women in Tourism and Go Big Namibia events which have already taken place, Team Destination Namibia has scheduled an Adventure Connect event in Windhoek on 1 October at the Wine Bar.A similar event was held on 5 September at Swakopmund. A mass choir is scheduled to perform at both towns during the summit.

ATWS 2013

From: allafrica.com

Date: 6 September 2013