Covid’s massive impact on hunting
Hunting clients to Namibia declined by more than 4 000 from 2019 to 2020 due to border closures implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Based on a survey conducted by the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (Napha), severe declines in Namibia’s hunting tourism can be seen. The report indicated that the total hunter count was approximately 1 000 in 2020.
This is compared to the 5 032 hunting clients who visited Namibia in 2019.
This is contained in the Namibian Agricultural Union annual report for 2020/2021.
“This substantial decline in tourist arrivals can be attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic, having resulted in the closure of borders from March until September 2020,” Napha said.
It explained that, generally, the annual high season for hunting tourism is from April to September, when 70% of the business activity occurs.
“As the Namibian borders were closed during that time, close to zero hunts could take place. Some outfitters adjusted their packages and restructured their business model to cater for the local tourism market by either diversifying their products or lowering their prices to merely cover costs.”
100% loss
According to Napha, with Namibia closing its borders in March 2020, tourism decreased by up to 90%.
“The average decline in hunters reported was 80.67%. Approximately 30% of respondents declared a full 100% loss in hunter count for 2020.”
The association said a survey among its members during September 2021 showed that, compared to 2019, an estimated 20% of trophy hunters visited Namibia during 2020.
“By August 2021, this figure rose to 35%. The official statistics remain to be received from the tourism ministry’s permit office.”
It further noted that Namibia had a total of 5 032 conservation hunters for 2019, which is a slight (5.7%) decrease from 2018’s 5 337.
Hunters came from 49 countries, with the United States of America and Germany accounting for 55% of all visiting hunters. A total of 23 873 trophies was hunted, of which 16 043 were horned species, 6 338 were non-horned species and 318 animals belonged to the Big Five. The remaining number comprised of birds, reptiles and amphibians as well as aliens and exotic species.
Based on a survey conducted by the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (Napha), severe declines in Namibia’s hunting tourism can be seen. The report indicated that the total hunter count was approximately 1 000 in 2020.
This is compared to the 5 032 hunting clients who visited Namibia in 2019.
This is contained in the Namibian Agricultural Union annual report for 2020/2021.
“This substantial decline in tourist arrivals can be attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic, having resulted in the closure of borders from March until September 2020,” Napha said.
It explained that, generally, the annual high season for hunting tourism is from April to September, when 70% of the business activity occurs.
“As the Namibian borders were closed during that time, close to zero hunts could take place. Some outfitters adjusted their packages and restructured their business model to cater for the local tourism market by either diversifying their products or lowering their prices to merely cover costs.”
100% loss
According to Napha, with Namibia closing its borders in March 2020, tourism decreased by up to 90%.
“The average decline in hunters reported was 80.67%. Approximately 30% of respondents declared a full 100% loss in hunter count for 2020.”
The association said a survey among its members during September 2021 showed that, compared to 2019, an estimated 20% of trophy hunters visited Namibia during 2020.
“By August 2021, this figure rose to 35%. The official statistics remain to be received from the tourism ministry’s permit office.”
It further noted that Namibia had a total of 5 032 conservation hunters for 2019, which is a slight (5.7%) decrease from 2018’s 5 337.
Hunters came from 49 countries, with the United States of America and Germany accounting for 55% of all visiting hunters. A total of 23 873 trophies was hunted, of which 16 043 were horned species, 6 338 were non-horned species and 318 animals belonged to the Big Five. The remaining number comprised of birds, reptiles and amphibians as well as aliens and exotic species.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article