Ongava’s Rob Moffett Brings Namibian Perspective to WWF-Moderated Panel in Canada

Namibia’s pioneering approach to conservation-led tourism was highlighted on the global stage this week as the country’s hospitality industry representative spoke at the prestigious Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS).

Rob Moffett of Ongava Game Reserve, a member of the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN), was invited to join an elite panel of international experts at the summit, which took place from September 14 to 17, 2026.

Moffett’s participation underscored Namibia’s growing influence in the global conversation surrounding sustainable travel, moving the narrative beyond scenic landscapes to discuss the economic and communal mechanics of wildlife preservation.

A Panel on Partnership

Moffett spoke on the session titled “Protected Areas and Travel: Partnerships, Experience & Conservation.” The highly interactive session was convened and moderated by Jim Sano, WWF’s Vice President for Travel, Tourism and Conservation.

The panel brought together voices from government, the private sector, NGOs, academia, and local communities to debate practical solutions for the modern travel industry. Through this lens, Moffett was able to articulate the unique Namibian experience—where tourism revenue is directly inextricably linked to wildlife survival.

Posing the Hard Questions

During the discussion, Moffett challenged delegates with three fundamental questions that lie at the heart of African conservation efforts:

• Can conservation survive if it cannot pay for itself?
• When does community tourism become genuine community prosperity?
• Should protected areas be managed as national economic assets rather than as conservation costs?

His contribution offered a stark, practical perspective from the ground, positioning Namibia not just as a destination, but as a thought leader in connecting tourism with tangible community benefit.

A Warm Welcome and a Lasting Legacy

According to HAN, the session was met with enthusiasm and deep engagement from the international delegates. Moffett returned from Québec with a clear sense of the goodwill Namibia commands within the adventure travel sector.

Delegates spoke warmly of the country’s tourism infrastructure and its conservation achievements. Notably, the memory of the 2013 ATWS—hosted in Namibia as the first-ever summit held on the African continent—remains vivid. Thirteen years later, attendees at the 2026 summit recalled the earlier event with “remarkable affection.”

This enduring connection reflected the spirit of this year’s summit theme: “Tracing: The paths we follow. The marks we leave.” The theme encouraged the industry to reflect on the landscapes that have shaped adventure travel and the legacies being created for future generations.

Looking Back to Look Forward

In a statement congratulating Moffett and Ongava Game Reserve, the Hospitality Association of Namibia noted that the event served as a powerful reminder of the value of African voices in global forums.

“Their participation is a reminder of the value of Namibians bringing their experience and ideas to global forums and of the lasting impression our country can make,” HAN stated.

With the bond between Québec and Namibia reaffirmed, questions are already emerging about whether the Adventure Travel World Summit might one day return to the land that hosted its inaugural African edition. As HAN suggests, given the warmth the bond between Québec and Namibia remains strong. As the adventure travel industry continues to “trace the paths” of sustainable tourism, Namibia’s conservation-led model stands as a testament to what is possible when tourism, nature, and community thrive together.

Whether the summit returns to Africa in the coming years, the dialogue initiated in Québec serves as proof that Namibia’s voice is not only heard but valued on the world stage.

About the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) The Hospitality Association of Namibia represents the country’s tourism and hospitality industry, advocating for sustainable practices and supporting members like Ongava Game Reserve in promoting Namibia as a premier destination for conservation tourism.