The role of local policy knowledge in the implementation of Namibian tourism policy

Abstract

The paper introduces a concept of local policy knowledge which is argued to complement the conventional policy knowledge in the Namibian tourism policy process. Local policy knowledge refers to the qualitative material gathered from 16 Namibian tourism enterprises. The perceptions and experiences of the representatives of these enterprises regarding two policy goals, namely poverty reduction and black economic empowerment, are analysed in order to illustrate the challenges involved in policy implementation. The paper concludes that local policy knowledge can be applied beyond the Namibian context and even in other policy related research.