SWAKOPMUND – After spending more than two decades in the mining industry, Onesimus !Goraseb decided to walk away from a well-paying job to pursue his dream of making tourism more accessible to Namibians.
His decision was driven by a gap he identified in the industry, where international visitors often take centre stage while many locals believe exploring their own country is too expensive.
Although relatively new to tourism, !Goraseb founded Loloba Tours and Transport, which is focusing on domestic tourism through the Namibia Travel Club, which offers affordable packages, negotiated rates and flexible payment plans.
Activities include visits to Etosha, Sossusvlei, dune rides and boat cruises, with packages designed to accommodate different budgets.
The initiative also seeks to bring Namibians from different cultural backgrounds together, using travel as a platform to build relationships and encourage social cohesion.
“I spotted this gap because people are not looking at the domestic market, and Namibians are under the impression that some of these places are exclusive to international tourists. I came in with a purpose,” he said.
!Goraseb said he spent time reflecting on his interests and the kind of life he wanted before concluding that tourism was where he saw himself.
“I love people and I am a cultural and traditional fanatic. I love stories and cross-cultural interactions,” he said.
He researched the tourism industry while still employed in mining and identified an opportunity to encourage more Namibians to explore the country’s destinations.
However, making the move was not without risk. He acknowledged that the decision involved considerable risk and was not one he would necessarily advise others to take.
“I left a very well-paying job, and that is why you see me putting in so much effort,” he said.
Despite the uncertainty, he said the satisfaction of pursuing something he genuinely enjoys has reinforced his decision.
“I love what I am doing on a daily basis, and that alone is so rewarding,” he said. The Namibia Travel Club currently has 400 members and continues to grow.
!Goraseb said the growing membership gives the club greater negotiating power with accommodation establishments and tourism activity operators, helping it secure more affordable rates.
He said many Namibians want to travel but are discouraged by the costs of accommodation, activities and transport. Others lack suitable four-wheel-drive vehicles to access certain destinations.
Group travel allows members to share costs, while payment plans help them budget for trips in advance. The club’s first tour was a coastal experience that attracted about eight participants from Windhoek and the coast.
Although the turnout was lower than expected, !Goraseb proceeded with the trip to establish the club and build trust among potential clients. His package includes a boat cruise and a Sandwich Harbour experience, with transport and accommodation provided for participants according to their requests.
According to him, the response from participants helped generate further interest in the initiative. The club’s next planned excursion is a Sossusvlei trip scheduled for 4 to 6 December, which has attracted a lot of interest already.
Two package options were being offered: N$4500 for camping and N$6840 for accommodation. The packages include transport, meals, activities and camping equipment, with participants collected from their homes on Friday morning and returned on Sunday afternoon.
According to !Goraseb, focusing on domestic tourism could also help tourism businesses build a more sustainable customer base beyond the international tourism market.
Adding that operators concentrated on international visitors, leaving room for businesses willing to develop packages that meet the needs and budgets of local travellers.
Beyond leisure travel, he is expanding the business into educational tours for schoolchildren. He said he had already taken learners from Learning Rights School to the Pink Lake.
“I do not regret having made this move,” he told New Era.
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