37% increase in tourism arrivals

ELLANIE SMIT WINDHOEKNamibia recorded 354 508 arrivals last year, of whom 233 692 were tourists.This indicates an increase of 37.8%, compared to the 169 565 tourist arrivals in 2020.This is according to statistics provided by the home affairs ministry at the launch of the tourism sector drive for Covid-19 vaccination.The main objective of the drive is to raise awareness among tourism businesses and their employees of the importance of vaccination in stimulating tourism.According to the electronic border management system, 15 ports of entry into Namibia were equipped with computers to log entries last year.The data provided by home affairs shows that Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) was the most active border point with 43.7% of tourist arrivals, followed by Ariamsvlei with 15.1%, Noordoewer with 13.1%, Trans Kalahari with 10.5% and Rooikop with 6.4% of the overall tourist arrivals.According to the electronic border management system, there were 354 508 entries through all the border points across the country in 2021.This shows an overall increase of 84.61% when compared to 2020 overall arrivals.The data shows that HKIA was the most active border point with 35.9% of foreign arrivals, followed by Ariamsvlei with 22.8%, Noordoewer with 13.3%, Trans Kalahari with 12.8% and Rooikop with 5.3%.The data shows an upward trend in tourism arrivals from only 11 203 tourists in January to 28 755 in December. This shows an overall increase of 156.67% in tourist arrivals across the year from January to December.Positive trendTourism minister Pohamba Shifeta said although the sector had received few arrivals and declining activities in 2020, a positive trend in international tourist arrivals was observed in 2021.He said the ministry, in collaboration with the home affairs ministry, had made strides in tourism statistics, data sharing and analytics.“In this regard, arrival statistics, at least for 15 entry points which are computerised, will now be available on a monthly basis, all factors being equal.”These borders are Ariamsvlei, Eros, HKIA, Katwitwi, Keetmanshoop, Lüderitz harbour, Mohembo, Ngoma, Noordoewer, Omahenene, Oshikango, Rooikop, Walvis Bay harbour and Wenela border posts.“Final total arrivals for the year will surely be more, adding arrivals from other entry points. This an important achievement for the sector.”He added that the two ministries would continue to engage and seek necessary financial and technical resources to fully computerise the remaining border points.According to an annual comparison of the Hospitality Association of Namibia’s statistics, 2021 had a 23% room occupancy, compared to just over 16% in 2020, Shifeta said.“But these percentages are still less than half of the normal tourism flow for Namibia, as in 2019, Namibia recorded an annual room occupancy of over 53% across the country and year.”

37% increase in tourism arrivals

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-15

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37% increase in tourism arrivals

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-15

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