O&L, SAA combine forces to promote Namibia
In the spotlight
O&L Leisure, in partnership with South African Airways (SAA), spearheaded a collaborative initiative to unlock Namibia’s tourism potential across the African continent, with over 100 key travel agents from nine African markets having participated in a landmark webinar on 4 December 2025.
The initiative, which brought together major stakeholders including Gondwana Collection, Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), the City of Windhoek and key tourism associations (NTB, TASA, HAN, CARAN), represented a unified approach to positioning Namibia as a destination of choice for leisure and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events) travel across Africa.
“This collaboration marks a pivotal moment for Namibia’s tourism industry,” said Maryke van Lill, marketing general manager at O&L Leisure.
“Working alongside SAA, we initiated this project to address a momentous opportunity. While Namibia has traditionally drawn heavily from European markets, the African continent represents our most accessible and fastest-growing market. With the African Union targeting 50% intra-African tourism by 2030, Namibia is perfectly positioned to capture this growth.”
Travel professionals from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Mauritius, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Botswana explored Namibia’s unique value proposition during the webinar, which aimed to showcase the country’s diverse tourism attractions while strengthening partnerships between Namibian stakeholders and international travel agencies.
“Namibia offers something truly unique,” Van Lill said. “Unlike mass tourism destinations, we provide intimate wildlife experiences across vast, uncrowded landscapes. Whether its elephants on a Chobe river cruise or desert-adapted elephants and lions in the Namib, each experience is special. Combined with our excellent road infrastructure, safety record, world-class accommodation standards and improved air connectivity through partners like SAA, Namibia is an accessible destination for African travellers.
What makes this initiative particularly compelling is our commitment to affordability. O&L Leisure offers dedicated African rates and many suppliers provide SADC-friendly pricing, making Namibia an accessible destination for continental travellers.
The webinar initiative builds on strong momentum, with Namibia’s 2024 tourist arrivals reaching 1,257,093 – a 45.5% increase from 2023 and nearly 79% recovery to pre-COVID levels. Neighbouring countries already feature prominently, with South Africa contributing 38.5% of arrivals, alongside strong representation from Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
This growing continental presence has not gone unnoticed by government, who recognises the strategic importance of tapping into African markets. At the launch of the 2024 Tourist Statistical Report, Indeleni Daniel, tourism minister, emphasised that her ministry is finalising the National Tourism Spatial Development Master Plan to steer Namibia’s tourism sector toward a sustainable, inclusive and globally competitive future.
“Following the webinar, a comprehensive familiarisation (FAM) trip will be hosted in early 2026, with air connectivity supplied by SAA, giving selected agents firsthand experience of Namibia’s tourism offerings. The itinerary spans iconic destinations including Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Windhoek, with accommodation provided across O&L Leisure, Gondwana Collection and NWR properties,” Wilhelmine Veripi Kandjou, country manager for SAA said.
The MICE sector represents another strategic focus.
“All our properties are equipped for conferences and incentive travel and we are strategically positioned at iconic locations,” said Van Lill.
“Why host in Johannesburg when you can host at Etosha? We are creating ‘BLEISURE’ opportunities that combine business with leisure.”
Beyond immediate bookings, O&L Leisure is implementing a comprehensive support framework for participating agents, including preferential rates, tailored packages, ongoing training and joint marketing campaigns.
“We are building lasting partnerships and positioning ourselves as the preferred partners for destination marketing,” said Van Lill.
“While returns will likely materialise over six to twelve months, we are investing in relationships that will drive sustainable growth for Namibia’ s tourism sector across the African continent.”
The initiative, which brought together major stakeholders including Gondwana Collection, Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), the City of Windhoek and key tourism associations (NTB, TASA, HAN, CARAN), represented a unified approach to positioning Namibia as a destination of choice for leisure and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events) travel across Africa.
“This collaboration marks a pivotal moment for Namibia’s tourism industry,” said Maryke van Lill, marketing general manager at O&L Leisure.
“Working alongside SAA, we initiated this project to address a momentous opportunity. While Namibia has traditionally drawn heavily from European markets, the African continent represents our most accessible and fastest-growing market. With the African Union targeting 50% intra-African tourism by 2030, Namibia is perfectly positioned to capture this growth.”
Travel professionals from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Mauritius, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Botswana explored Namibia’s unique value proposition during the webinar, which aimed to showcase the country’s diverse tourism attractions while strengthening partnerships between Namibian stakeholders and international travel agencies.
“Namibia offers something truly unique,” Van Lill said. “Unlike mass tourism destinations, we provide intimate wildlife experiences across vast, uncrowded landscapes. Whether its elephants on a Chobe river cruise or desert-adapted elephants and lions in the Namib, each experience is special. Combined with our excellent road infrastructure, safety record, world-class accommodation standards and improved air connectivity through partners like SAA, Namibia is an accessible destination for African travellers.
What makes this initiative particularly compelling is our commitment to affordability. O&L Leisure offers dedicated African rates and many suppliers provide SADC-friendly pricing, making Namibia an accessible destination for continental travellers.
The webinar initiative builds on strong momentum, with Namibia’s 2024 tourist arrivals reaching 1,257,093 – a 45.5% increase from 2023 and nearly 79% recovery to pre-COVID levels. Neighbouring countries already feature prominently, with South Africa contributing 38.5% of arrivals, alongside strong representation from Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
This growing continental presence has not gone unnoticed by government, who recognises the strategic importance of tapping into African markets. At the launch of the 2024 Tourist Statistical Report, Indeleni Daniel, tourism minister, emphasised that her ministry is finalising the National Tourism Spatial Development Master Plan to steer Namibia’s tourism sector toward a sustainable, inclusive and globally competitive future.
“Following the webinar, a comprehensive familiarisation (FAM) trip will be hosted in early 2026, with air connectivity supplied by SAA, giving selected agents firsthand experience of Namibia’s tourism offerings. The itinerary spans iconic destinations including Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Windhoek, with accommodation provided across O&L Leisure, Gondwana Collection and NWR properties,” Wilhelmine Veripi Kandjou, country manager for SAA said.
The MICE sector represents another strategic focus.
“All our properties are equipped for conferences and incentive travel and we are strategically positioned at iconic locations,” said Van Lill.
“Why host in Johannesburg when you can host at Etosha? We are creating ‘BLEISURE’ opportunities that combine business with leisure.”
Beyond immediate bookings, O&L Leisure is implementing a comprehensive support framework for participating agents, including preferential rates, tailored packages, ongoing training and joint marketing campaigns.
“We are building lasting partnerships and positioning ourselves as the preferred partners for destination marketing,” said Van Lill.
“While returns will likely materialise over six to twelve months, we are investing in relationships that will drive sustainable growth for Namibia’ s tourism sector across the African continent.”
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