Hospitality Association of Namibia

The Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) is a trade association for the hospitality sector in Namibia, Africa. It is fully funded by its members and serves as a self-regulating governing body for all aspects of the hospitality industry, by providing its members with guidelines for service excellence and access to training.^[1]

Composition

The number and diversity of its members make HAN truly representative of the hospitality industry, and the association plays an important role in the tourism sector of Namibia. An executive committee of its members, elected by its members, in turn governs HAN.^[1]

History

The Hospitality Association of Namibia was established in 1987 with just 16 members, and membership has since grown to include over 400 members.^[1]

Membership

Members of HAN include representatives of every area of hospitality, including hotels, guest houses, guest farms, lodges, rest camps, restaurants, conference centers and catering services.^[1]

HAN Member Benefits

All Members benefit from several services which add value to their daily operations as well as the experiences of their customers:^[1]

Communications

HAN members receive an industry newsletter published at regular intervals and have a dedicated page on the HAN Website.^[1]

Preferential Rates

HAN membership cards entitle the holder to:^[1]

• Discounted rates at various establishments throughout Namibia, RSA, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
• Reduced insurance rates with Alexander Forbes.
• Favourable credit card rates with Standard Bank of Namibia for full members.
• Discounted rates on TV licenses for properties with 10 televisions or more.
• Preferential Avis Car Hire rates.
• Reduced prices on formal training at NATH and the Namibia Hotel School.

Industry Perks

• Participation at the Annual Congress and HAN Tourism Trade Forum.^[1][2]
• An open channel of communication with important government bodies such as the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) and other tourism related associations, such as the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations.^[1][2][3]
• Membership to the Namibian Employers' Federation as a group.^[1][4]

Other benefits

These include access to a dedicated legal and labour relations consultant and hot-line, and the ability to make use of Orion, the Prosperity Namibia Medical Scheme and Tourism Group Pension Fund, from Old Mutual.^[1]

Members

The following accommodation establishments in Namibia are members of HAN:^[5]

1. Windhoek Country Club Resort
2. Arebbusch Travel Lodge
3. Beach Hotel Swakopmund
4. Cape Cross Lodge
5. Lake Oanob Resort
6. Hotel Schweizerhaus and Cafe Anton
7. Avani Windhoek
8. Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Center

HAN Awards of Excellence

HAN recognises and rewards its members annually in several categories, as follows:^[1]

• The HAN Personality Award is awarded to an individual in the tourism sector who consistently exhibits exceptional service in delivering input towards the promotion of the hospitality industry and the image of tourism in general.
• The HAN Hotelier of the Year is a manager, establishment owner or hotelier who displays outstanding professionalism and service to the industry.
• The HAN Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognises an individual who contributes to the Namibian economy and the tourism industry in particular, though their leadership in terms of their business promotions, entrepreneurship and development, decisions and actions.

These awards are based on nominations and ratings by guests and hospitality employees in terms of service excellence throughout the year, and are awarded in bronze, silver and gold categories.

Website

The HAN website (http://www.hannamibia.com/) serves to promote its members by allowing users to quickly and effectively locate holiday or business services according to their needs.^[1]

A potential guest or visitor to Namibia simply enters their preferences into the search engine in order to find a list of HAN members that meet their criteria. From this selection, the user can then proceed directly to the website of the relevant member.

The website endeavours to provide users with the most up to date and comprehensive information regarding the Namibian tourism industry in general and HAN members specifically.

Features of the website include:

• The latest tourism-related headlines and events.
• Information on all HAN members and suppliers.
• Contact details for the HAN executive committee.
• Details on vacant job posts within the hospitality industry.
• Access to download important documents and forms pertaining to the industry such as Health and Safety documentation, newsletters, membership applications, and nomination forms for the HAN Awards.

HAN Code of Conduct

The HAN Code of Conduct ensures that all its members remain committed to furthering the aims of Namibian Tourism and providing exceptional experiences to visitors.^[1][6]

In summary, the Code of Conduct commits all HAN members to:

• Maintain high standards of courtesy and hospitality.
• Ensure that facilities and services are in accordance with their establishment category.
• Honesty in all their marketing endeavours.
• Allow visitors enough opportunity to view the accommodation before registration.
• Transparency with regard to inclusions and exclusions with regard to pricing and any fees applicable to additional services and facilities.
• Provide a receipt for payment and details of any payments due, if requested.
• Advise guests of any alteration in rates prior to registration.
• Adhere to the prices quoted initially.
• Prompt and courteous responses to all correspondence, enquiries and complaints.
• Ensure the safety of guests and their possessions.
• Avoid discrimination in any form, notwithstanding the operator’s Right of Admission.
• Promote fellow HAN establishments.
• Discourage payment of commission to any entity other than bona fide tour operators or travel agents.
• Deal with any disagreement pertaining to HAN circumstances or events via the executive committee.
• Timeous payment of monies owing to HAN.
• Adhere to Namibian law.
• Train staff to the highest levels of professionalism.
• Encourage their peers to become members of HAN.
• Assist in the promotion of Namibia in all respects.

Office

The Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) head office is located in Namibia's capital city, Windhoek.

The street address is:

Unit 6, Philadelphia House, 6 Newton Street, Windhoek, Namibia.

References