Namibia spa and wellness tourism tops in Africa

Spa and wellness tourism is continuing to grow in Namibia with the country retaining its position in the top 10 destinations on the continent.

The country has not only increased its number of spas and wellness offerings, but has also grown its employment in the sector.

According to the Global Spa and Wellness Economy Monitor, Namibia has been ranked eighth in sub-Saharan Africa for spa tourism with spa revenues of N$285.4 million recorded.

The figures are for 2015 and were just released in the latest report by the Global Wellness Institute.

Namibia has increased its number of spas from 40 in 2013 to a total of 57 in 2015, while employment in the sector has also increased from 553 workers to 760 workers during the same period.

The country was also ranked second in the region in terms of its revenue earned at its thermal/mineral springs. Namibia's two facilities generated N$43.5 million.

A whopping 100 000 visitors came to Namibian wellness centres and they spent N$620 million, latest figures indicated.

Globally, wellness sectors now represent a US$3.7 trillion economy. “Wellness tourism continues to grow faster than global tourism, as more consumers aspire to higher levels of wellness and incorporate this intention into their travels,” according to the report

It said robust growth in the spa industry has been fuelled by rapid expansion of African economies and a rising middle class.

“Across the continent, not only are consumers spending their increasing incomes on beauty, relaxation, fitness and sports, and healthy eating, but they are also showing increasing interest in products and treatments inspired by local traditions.”

The report added that growth in the hotel and resort spa markets continues to be anchored by strong tourism inflows and investments in new and existing properties, especially in the island resorts of Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar, as well as in popular destinations in Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana.

It said the growth of both the local wellness consumer base and wellness tourists alike, is helping to promote home-grown African brands and products, including special herbal blends and natural and organic beauty and skincare products, which are often purchased by visitors as gifts or for their own use.

However, it adds that the few thermal establishments that exist in countries such as Namibia, Zambia, and Swaziland, tend to have very basic and out-of-date facilities.

“In response to the growing consumer interest in hot springs around the world, governments and investors in Africa are starting to take a new look at the potential of their underutilised thermal resources. For example, historic properties have recently been refurbished and reopened in Namibia (Gross Barmen Hot Springs Resort).”

According to the report, the worldwide wellness industry grew by 10.6%, to US$3.72 trillion, from 2013 to 2015, while sub-Saharan Africa is the fastest-growing spa market with a 40% spike in revenues.

In 2015, spas were operating in 210 countries around the world. The majority of these were concentrated in the key markets of Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. Outside of the three leading regions, spa market growth is robust across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

Travellers made 691 million wellness trips in 2015, which is 104.4 million more trips than in 2013. Wellness trips account for 6.5% of all tourism trips, but represent 15.6% of total tourism expenditures.

“This is because wellness travellers are high-yield tourists, spending much more per trip than non-wellness travellers.”

An international wellness tourist spends 61% more than the average international tourist, while a domestic wellness tourist spends 164% more than the average domestic tourist.