Tourism experiences record growth

The Chief Executive Officer of the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN), Gitta Paetzold, said it appears that 2014 may go down in history as the best year yet for the tourism industry. Statistics released by HAN in its quarterly annual occupancy report revealed the tourism accommodation industry experienced a growth of about 9% in room sales last year, compared to 2013. Occupancy statistics are also 5% higher than those recorded in 2008, which was until now regarded as Namibian tourism’s best year. The annual average occupancy rates have finally exceeded the 50% threshold again, reaching 57.4% last year. According to Paetzold, the last time accommodation establishments recorded an annual occupancy of more than 50% was in 2008 when it was 52.35%. Paetzold said Namibian tourism figures have gradually declined since 2009, from an occupancy rate of just over 47%, hitting rock bottom in 2011 at 40.5%. Since then there has been a steady recovery in tourism accommodation occupancy, and in 2012 it reached 46%, while in 2013 it averaged 48.7%. In 2008, about 25% of all guests were Namibians. This number increased to an impressive 37% last year. The German-speaking European market remains Namibia’s biggest, with more than one out of every five guests coming from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. South Africa supplies 12% of the guests registered at accommodation establishments in Namibia, while visitors from the United States remain steady at just over 2%. Paetzold said the record jump of 9% between 2013 and 2014 can be attributed Namibia’s increased international exposure, through major international conferences and added media attention on the country’s conservation and conservancy developments. Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) Frankfurt had also managed to establish extremely effective and lucrative strategic partnerships with major brands and companies in Europe, said Paetzold. Expectations are that Namibian tourism will continue to grow. Paetzold said good forward bookings have been received for the coming year. The strength of the US dollar may also have an added a positive influence on travel in Namibia, while there seems to be a little concern about the falling euro. WINDHOEK ELLANIE SMIT