Massive decline of tourist arrivals in June

PHILLEPUS UUSIKUThe tourism sector continues to feel the pressure as the number of international arrivals in Namibia continue to decline. Last year, the sector recorded the largest contraction of 31.2%, compared to a positive growth of 1.5% in 2019.As a result, the domestic economy posted a contraction of 8.5% relative to a decline of 0.9% registered in 2019. This is the worst annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contraction since Independence.According to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), the index for regional and international arrivals recorded a decline of 28.4% monthly in June 2021 downward from a growth rate of 9.5% registered in May 2021. On annual basis the number of passengers arriving in Namibia increased significantly from 373 passengers recorded a year earlier to 9 074 passengers registered during the period under review.The year-on-year increase observed shows that the industry is slowly recovering from the effects of Covid-19 since the country’s stage 2 lockdown in June 2020. This is mainly due to the relaxation of cross border travel restrictions of visitors and the recent introduction of a new weekly route connecting Cape Town and Walvis Bay, NSA pointed out.The index for regional and international departures registered a negative growth rate of 23.4% on monthly basis during the period under review, when compared to a growth rate of 18.6% recorded in May 2021.On annual basis, it was observed that there was a significant increase in the number of passengers that departed in June 2021, reaching a level of 10 017 from 545 passengers recorded in the corresponding period of 2020, NSA said.ROOMS OCCUPANCYThe index for rooms’ occupancy rate declined by 42.5% in June 2021 on monthly basis, further down from a decline of 10.1% recorded in the preceding month. However, the index recorded a growth rate of 106.4% year-on-year, NSA added.The increase registered year on year was due to the marketing strategy that the industry developed and offer of affordable pricing options to tourists in order to attract families and individuals to tourism destination.The index for beds’ occupancy rate declined by 45.3% in June 2021 on monthly basis, downward from a negative growth rate of 3.4% recorded in May 2021. On annual basis, the index increased by 110.6%.The increase observed year-on-year, reflects mainly on the tourism revival initiatives for Namibia and the no travel restrictions applicable to visitors while complying with tourism health and safety protocols in place, NSA said.

Massive decline of tourist arrivals in June

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-14

Please login to leave a comment

Massive decline of tourist arrivals in June

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-14

Please login to leave a comment

Login