While a number of companies across different industries are coping with the weight of the current economic global recession through workforce retrenchments and narrowing the target market, NWR, Namibia's premier tourist accommodation provider inside the country's National Parks has decided to keep the rates for the use of its facilities unchanged for the 2009/2010 season. The decision, made to counter the effects of the global recession on the tourism and travel industry, has been welcomed by inbound and outbound tour operators that are already dealing with a less than certain number of bookings over the coming year.Slowing economies and cautious consumers have brought forth interesting travel trends. The trend in the European countries indicate a change in the way people book their holidays to southern Africa and other long-haul destinations, with the most obvious being holiday-makers exercising caution in choosing to book at shorter notice than normal.
As Namibia's premier accommodation provider, NWR also recognizes its importance in not only marketing tourism in Namibia as a destination but also to set the benchmark as far as travel costs to Namibia are concerned. It is in light of this that the company has kept the rates the same in order to give its partners a slight reprieve and an incentive to sell NWR product in Europe.
Managing Director of NWR, Dr. Tobie Aupindi speaks rather philosophically of the impact of the recession on the company. Instead of seeing the impact as merely negative he sees a number of opportunities while faced with the challenges of pricing pressures, falling profitability and decreased growth. "The recession provides the best opportune time for the company to focus on service delivery, product diversification and the growth of the NWR brand", the man who vows to do everything possible to retain NWR's workforce status, by avoiding job losses.
The company seeks to differentiate itself in terms of its eco-friendly approach to its accommodation units and operations to stave off fears that the global pinch felt by its clients may lead to them choosing slightly cheaper and environmentally unsustainable travel and accommodation facilities.
NWR remains committed to being a 'Green' company in all its operations, which is demonstrated in no less than 8 of its facilities across the country in terms of renewable energy use and energy saving.
It is because of this ability to cut out energy costs that the company is able to redirect its strategies to coping with the recession to more operational areas, by redefining and marketing of NWR activities such as game drives, hiking and excursions in Namibia's beautiful National Parks.
While keeping the rates steady in order to maintain its strong client base in Namibia and South Africa, NWR in its commitment to the growth of the local travel market, is also promoting affordable domestic travel packages for Namibians to its facilities. Namibian citizens, permanent residents and Diplomats residing in the country continue to benefit from a 25% discount on all of NWR's facilities, whereas Namibian pensioners qualify for a 35% discount.