Namibia’s tourism industry contributed 6.9% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022, while direct employment accounted for close to 8% of the country’s workforce. The industry continues to show positive signs of growth towards returning to pre-Covid levels.
ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism’s Tourist Statistical Report for 2023, the number of international visitor arrivals increased from 461,027 in 2022 to 863,872 in 2023 – an increase of 87.4%. The arrival figures for 2023 are 46% below the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.
Visitors from Africa accounted for 24% of arrivals. South Africa was the main source market for tourists from Africa, followed by Angola, Zambia and Botswana. Europe accounted for 21.5% of arrivals, with Germany being the main source market. Other countries in the top ten source markets included the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France and the United States of America. Tourist stays ranged from four to seven nights or eight to 14 nights with an average of 14 nights.
HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION OF NAMIBIA
Statistics released by the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) show that although room sales in 2023 ended up just under 2% lower than in 2019, the average bed occupancy was over 1% higher than in 2019. Leisure travel accounted for just under 90% in 2023 compared to just under 84% in 2019. The number of Namibian visitors at tourism establishments dropped slightly in 2023 from 26% to just over 22.7%, while the number of visitors from South Africa decreased by just under 1% to 7.12% in 2023. The number of visitors from German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) increased from just under 30% in 2019 to 34% of total guests. The French and Italian markets grew by 1.5% each, while the United States market accounted for 4.12% in accommodation establishments in 2023. Visitors from the United Kingdom and Ireland made up over 3.6% of guests in accommodation establishments.
HAN’s chief executive officer, Gitta Paetzold, said: “It would seem as though these occupancy indicators, while reflective of tourist movement into Namibia, may not include the visibly high increase in self-drive and camping tourism in Namibia, while the occupancy figures also do not reflect the healthy growth in tourism revenue through especially the growing high-end tourism segment gaining popularity in Namibia.
“The international trends for 2024 include even more demand for the high-end, high-quality tourism, and it is encouraging to see the development of many such new properties offering this service in Namibia. Furthermore, global operators predict that camping will go premium, with an increasing demand for camping travel across the globe, a market also well served by Namibia. Furthermore, sustainable and family travel is in demand,” she added.
TOURISM SATELLITE ACCOUNT
The sixth edition of Namibia’s Tourism Satellite Account Report for 2022, which measures the direct economic contribution of tourism to Namibia’s economy, was launched in February 2024. According to the report, inbound tourism generated approximately N$12.4 billion in 2022, while domestic tourism generated approximately N$12.6 billion. Outbound visitors’ expenditure was estimated to be about N$2.6 billion.
The report states that close to 57,600 people were directly employed by tourism-related industries in 2022, representing 7.9% of total employment in the country. Accommodation services for visitors provided the highest direct employment, with a contribution of 49.2%, whereas food and beverage services contributed 30.4%. Tourism’s direct contribution to informal employment was estimated at 63.9% of total tourism employment, while the number of tourism-related establishments was estimated at approximately 17,082, accounting for about 28% of all establishments.
NEW VISA REGIME
Visitors from countries that have not reciprocated Namibia’s visa exemption policy will be required to obtain visas on arrival or apply online for visas as from 1 April 2025. The cost of a visa for visitors from African Union countries affected by the decision will be N$1,200, while visitors from other affected countries will be charged N$1,600.
Among the 31 affected countries are Namibia’s main tourist source markets, namely Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands and Italy. Other European countries affected by the decision include Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. Nationals of Canada, Japan and the United States of America will also be required to apply for visas.
The decision was taken by the cabinet despite the concern expressed by various private-sector parties about the possible negative impact of the new visa regulations on the country’s tourism industry.
ETOSHA UPGRADES
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has allocated N$40 million for the construction of three new entrance gates and the upgrading of sanitation facilities at Namibia’s flagship Etosha National Park. New entrance gates will be built at Von Lindequist in the east, Andersson in the south and King Nehale in the north of the park, while the facilities at eight current sanitation facilities will be converted to comfort stops. Facilities will include toilets, picnic areas, information displays and viewing platforms. The work is expected to be completed by July 2025.
Another welcome development is the announcement that the government has taken a decision to upgrade 229 km of gravel roads in Etosha to low-volume sealed roads, with financial assistance of N$160 million by the Road Fund Administration (RFA) over the next five years. Construction of the main road from Okaukuejo to Halali and Namutoni and then to the King Nehale gate was expected to begin in 2024.
NEW TOURISM CONCESSIONS
The MEFT has awarded a 25-year concession for a shuttle service from the two-wheel drive parking area in Sossusvlei to a private company. The company will also operate a small kiosk at the parking area, develop and operate a campsite at Arbeit Adelt and have the right to conduct guided hiking trails in the Arbeit Adelt concession area.
The ministry has also awarded concessions for the construction of lodges and the operation of facilities in the Buffalo Core Area of the Bwabwata National Park, as well as in the Mahango Core Area. It also invited tenders for a tourism management concession for Sandwich Harbour, south of Walvis Bay. The concessionaire will have the right to have a staffed entrance gate, maintain ablution facilities, operate a shuttle service to Sandwich Harbour for self-drive tourists, construct a non-permanent structure at the entrance gate and to charge a minimal fee for users.
TRAVEL AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT INDEX
Namibia was ranked 95th out of 119 countries on the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Index for 2024 with an overall score of 3.45 out of seven. The index measures factors and policies in 17 categories or pillars on a score of one (lowest) to seven (highest).
Namibia was ranked third in Southern Africa after South Africa (55) and Botswana (75) and seventh among 19 sub-Saharan Africa countries. Namibia achieved the highest rankings for price competitiveness (5.55), safety and security (5.14) and environmental sustainability (4.70).
TOURISM AT A GLANCE
- Namibia is one of the top tourist destinations in Africa
- The tourism sector contributed 6.9% to Namibia’s GDP in 2022
- The close to 57,600 people employed directly in the sector represent 7.9% of the country’s total workforce
- Tourism is one of the country’s largest sources of foreign exchange
- Nearly 46% of the country’s land surface enjoys conservation protection
- Namibia has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Twyfelfontein and the Namib Sand Sea
VITAL CONTACTS
Car Rental Association of Namibia (CARAN)
P O Box 80368, Windhoek
+264 81 417 3797
caran.com.na
Directorate of Parks and Wildlife Management
Private Bag 13306, Windhoek
+264 61 282 4211
meft.gov.na
Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF)
P O Box 28157, Windhoek
+264 61 431 7700
eif.org.na
Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations (FENATA)
P O Box 86495, Windhoek
+264 61 230 337
fenata.org
Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN)
P O Box 86078, Windhoek
+264 61 222 904
hannamibia.com
Namibia Community Based Tourism Association (NACOBTA)
P O Box 86099, Windhoek
+264 61 221 918
Namibian Chamber of Environment (NCE)
P O Box 40723, Windhoek
+264 61 240 140
+264 81 162 5807
www.n-c-e.org
Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA)
P O Box 11291, Windhoek
+264 61 234 455
napha-namibia.com
Namibia Wildlife Resorts
Private Bag 13378, Windhoek
+264 61 285 7111
www.nwr.com.na
Windhoek Reservations Office
+264 61 285 7200
Meetings Incentive Conferences and Events & Tour Planning
+264 61 285 7108 / 67 / 69 / 88
Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism: Directorate of Environmental Affairs
Private Bag 13306, Windhoek
+264 61 254 2840
meft.gov.na
Tour and Safari Association of Namibia (TASA)
P O Box 11534, Windhoek
+264 61 238 423
tasa.na