TIRI MASAWI
The Namibia Competitions Commission (NaCC) will decide on the proposed merger between Gondwana Collection Namibia , one of the largest hotel and hospitality industry players and Abenteuer Afrika Safari (AAS) Close Corporation.
Gondwana Collection Namibia Managing Director, Gysbert Joubert confirmed the deal pending the Namibia Competition Commission’s approval .
We applied to the Competition Commission around three and a half months ago. We are waiting for their process to be finalised before we can comment,” he said. The Namibia Competition Commission told the Namibia Business Review this week that they are still dealing with the matter.
If given approval Gondwana Collection Namibia will take a controlling stake in Abenteuer Afrika Safari .The proposed merger will see Gondwana Collection Namibia acquiring a controlling stake in Abenteuer Afrika Safari .
Gondwana Collection Namibia is involved in providing accommodation and activities, travel advice, rental cars, and tourism shuttles throughout Namibia. Abenteuer Afrika Safari is a destination management company focusing on the design and implementation of events, activities, tours, transportation, logistics, and program management within a specific destination.
Namibia Business Review understands that the Competition Commission is keenly looking at the deal During its assessment, the Commission consults stakeholders (i.e., customers, competitors, sector regulators etc.) involved in the relevant market.
Meanwhile, an expert in the tourism industry who spoke anonymously raised concern that if the deal is given a green light by the Competition Commission it might propel larger players like Gongwanan collection at the expense of new players.
“The deal is big and if it goes ahead there are elements that could make it very difficult for other smaller players and new players to access the market,” he said.
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