For several decades, the State has granted tourism and other concessions within Namibia. These have varied considerably: some existed on State land in proclaimed protected areas and on State communal land. So too have the activities and terms varied. No uniform policy framework existed to guide their selection and development.

To address this while upholding its mission of "promoting biodiversity conservation in the Namibian environment through the sustainable utilisation of natural resources and tourism development for the maximum benefit of its citizens", the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) developed a Policy on Tourism and Wildlife Concessions on State Land 2007.

In line with the Constitutional guarantees and objectives set out in Vision 2030, the Policy was formulated for the advancement of Namibians who have been socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged by past discriminatory laws or practices.
Concessions create opportunities for business development and the economic empowerment of previously disadvantaged Namibians through access to tourism, hunting and industries based on wild plant and animal resources.
The MET's SPAN Project contracted a Tourism Planning and Concession Specialist to provide technical backstopping and guidance to the newly created Concession Unit within the Directorate of Regional Services and Parks Management. The specialist coordinated and implemented tourism-related planning and concession transaction activities in SPAN's field demonstration sites.

Highlights

• Since inception, more than 10 concessions for tourism activity development were awarded to communities residing and/or neighbouring protected areas. These amount to an investment of about N$199,7 million, creating about 629 direct and indirect job opportunities for local residents.
• The State received about N$11,146,315 million in concession fees.
• New concession opportunities for Sperrgebiet National Park, Hobatere Road Site adjoining Etosha National Park and western Bwabwata National park(White Sands) are currently under discussion.
• Three Government posts were created to staff the Concession Unit
• The Concession Policy and a brochure were produced, printed and widely distributed. Brochures are available in five languages while all materials are available on the MET website.
• A multi-sectoral Concession Committee was formed, with the Deputy Permanent Secretary as the Chair.
• A Concession Unit Induction and Training Manual was developed. Thirty five staff from regions received professional on-the job training.
• A Concession data base was developed and financial reconciliation of concession fee payments completed. This will be linked to the MET shared portal.
• Training was given to three personnel in concession development and management.
• Tourism scoping studies were developed and partially implemented for Bwabwata /Mamili /Mudumu, Kunene and Sperrgebiet areas. The Minister approved an action plan for existing and expiring concessions.
• Clear and coherent templates on the Request for Proposal (RFP), Head Concession Agreement (HCA) and Operator Contract (OC) are in place and in full use.