Germany warns tourists of rising crime in Namibia
• Namibia urged to take situation seriously
Francoise SteynbergWindhoek
Germany has issued an urgent travel warning against Namibia and several other countries, cautioning German tourists to be vigilant due to safety concerns and rising crime. Germany, Namibia’s largest tourism source market, in 2026 follows closely in the footsteps of Canada, the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK), which issued similar warnings towards the end of last year.
The Namibian tourism sector has expressed concern about mounting challenges facing an industry that has only recently regained its footing following the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the chief executive officer of the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN), Gitta Paetzold.
“It appears that numerous challenges lie ahead for Namibia’s tourism industry: expensive airfares, rising prices, complaints about service delivery and infrastructure in national parks, and now the revision of travel warnings – the last routine step countries take once incidents involving tourists occur,” Paetzold said last week Thursday. “But this affects the perception of a travel destination,” she added.
These warnings have become an important consideration for travellers, particularly as security risks continue to rise in various countries. The situation is fluid, and travellers are encouraged to stay informed and take the necessary precautions while in the affected destinations.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism’s (MEFT) 2024 tourism statistics report, 111 164 German tourists visited Namibia, making Germany the largest overseas source market, spokesperson Vilho Hangula confirmed. Paetzold said HAN statistics show that the German-speaking market (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) accounts for between 36% and 40% of bed occupancy.
Windhoek a hotspot
Germany’s warning follows concerns over Namibia’s security risks and rising crime. German authorities believe Namibia’s political situation is currently stable, but note an increase in crimes targeting tourists’ belongings, particularly in the capital.
“In recent months there has been an increase in robberies, including violent attacks on travellers, often targeting tourists staying in remote areas and campsites. Windhoek has become a crime hotspot, with incidents peaking on Sundays and public holidays when fewer people are outside and moving around,” German authorities warn.
Travellers have reported being followed from airports to accommodation establishments, where they are distracted and robbed.
“In addition, Namibia’s more remote regions, such as isolated northern areas and rural tourist attractions, have seen an increase in violent crime and theft. There are also reports of fraud, with scammers targeting unsuspecting visitors through fraudulent schemes, particularly at popular tourist destinations.”
Security measures
German travellers are advised to avoid walking in remote areas and leaving valuables unattended. Security measures should be a top priority, especially when travelling in isolated regions.
Canada has likewise warned against robberies, burglaries and carjackings, with most incidents involving visitors reported in and around Windhoek. The warning also points to an increase in financial fraud targeting tourists, including credit card cloning at some hotels and lodges, as well as theft and distraction tactics at ATMs.
Paetzold cautioned that the travel warnings should be taken seriously by Namibia.
“Ideally, institutions such as the authorities – MEFT and the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) – should take a stance, because combating crime is a national responsibility, as are visa regulations and bilateral relations with other countries.”
She said the private sector is working hard to market Namibia as a unique, safe and attractive destination.
“Hopefully MEFT will soon step in through the planned national spatial tourism development master plan to emphasise the need for an ‘all-of-government’ approach to create the right conditions and allow tourism potential to flourish,” she said. [email protected]
Germany has issued an urgent travel warning against Namibia and several other countries, cautioning German tourists to be vigilant due to safety concerns and rising crime. Germany, Namibia’s largest tourism source market, in 2026 follows closely in the footsteps of Canada, the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK), which issued similar warnings towards the end of last year.
The Namibian tourism sector has expressed concern about mounting challenges facing an industry that has only recently regained its footing following the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the chief executive officer of the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN), Gitta Paetzold.
“It appears that numerous challenges lie ahead for Namibia’s tourism industry: expensive airfares, rising prices, complaints about service delivery and infrastructure in national parks, and now the revision of travel warnings – the last routine step countries take once incidents involving tourists occur,” Paetzold said last week Thursday. “But this affects the perception of a travel destination,” she added.
These warnings have become an important consideration for travellers, particularly as security risks continue to rise in various countries. The situation is fluid, and travellers are encouraged to stay informed and take the necessary precautions while in the affected destinations.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism’s (MEFT) 2024 tourism statistics report, 111 164 German tourists visited Namibia, making Germany the largest overseas source market, spokesperson Vilho Hangula confirmed. Paetzold said HAN statistics show that the German-speaking market (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) accounts for between 36% and 40% of bed occupancy.
Windhoek a hotspot
Germany’s warning follows concerns over Namibia’s security risks and rising crime. German authorities believe Namibia’s political situation is currently stable, but note an increase in crimes targeting tourists’ belongings, particularly in the capital.
“In recent months there has been an increase in robberies, including violent attacks on travellers, often targeting tourists staying in remote areas and campsites. Windhoek has become a crime hotspot, with incidents peaking on Sundays and public holidays when fewer people are outside and moving around,” German authorities warn.
Travellers have reported being followed from airports to accommodation establishments, where they are distracted and robbed.
“In addition, Namibia’s more remote regions, such as isolated northern areas and rural tourist attractions, have seen an increase in violent crime and theft. There are also reports of fraud, with scammers targeting unsuspecting visitors through fraudulent schemes, particularly at popular tourist destinations.”
Security measures
German travellers are advised to avoid walking in remote areas and leaving valuables unattended. Security measures should be a top priority, especially when travelling in isolated regions.
Canada has likewise warned against robberies, burglaries and carjackings, with most incidents involving visitors reported in and around Windhoek. The warning also points to an increase in financial fraud targeting tourists, including credit card cloning at some hotels and lodges, as well as theft and distraction tactics at ATMs.
Paetzold cautioned that the travel warnings should be taken seriously by Namibia.
“Ideally, institutions such as the authorities – MEFT and the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) – should take a stance, because combating crime is a national responsibility, as are visa regulations and bilateral relations with other countries.”
She said the private sector is working hard to market Namibia as a unique, safe and attractive destination.
“Hopefully MEFT will soon step in through the planned national spatial tourism development master plan to emphasise the need for an ‘all-of-government’ approach to create the right conditions and allow tourism potential to flourish,” she said. [email protected]
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