Tourism sector booming
While Namibia is experiencing an economic downturn, the tourism sector remains strong and is performing very well.
The Namibian tourism industry last year experienced one the best years in over a decade, with tourism establishments recording nearly 60% occupancy across the country, while figures indicate that the sector may perform even better this year.
However CEO of the Hospitality Association of Namibia (Han) Gitta Paetzold has warned that alarming reports of rising crime levels and in particular brutal armed robberies in Namibia may destroy the country's reputation.
According to Han last year will go down in history as one of the most successful and positive tourism years for Namibia.
At the moment, 2017 promises to be equally positive for tourism, if not better, with a high demand for tourism services currently experienced by tourism operators, said Paetzold.
The results of January 2017 already shows a further increase on the previous year, with an average occupancy of over 45% in January, a month, that is usually seen as the start of Namibia's low season in tourism.
Paetzold said that this trend is of particular importance for Namibia at a time, when other economic sectors, be it fishing, agriculture or mining has to some extent experienced difficulties. “The Namibian tourism industry is fully geared to meet the demands and growing interest of the international travel market in the southern African region and is looking forward to equal or even better results in the coming year.”
She said the tourism sector is however fully aware that outside influences may easily affect its performance.Paetzold said the alarming reports of increasing crime levels and in particular the brutal armed robberies at guesthouses and sites frequented by tourists at the coast may destroy Namibia's opportunity to become the most desirable tourism destination in Africa by the end of this year.
This target has been set in the Tourism Growth Strategy and the National Development Plan 4 and 5 for tourism. However Paetzold said risks to safety and security of travellers and Namibians alike may ruin Namibia's chances of becoming the most popular tourism destination in Africa. She said that Han therefore strongly believes that now is the time to stand together to halt the serious threat that rising crime poses to tourism prosperity.
With regard to the 2016 figures lodges, tented lodges and guest houses seem to be the most popular accommodation facilities throughout Namibia, but hotels faired almost equally well, both in Windhoek and along the Coast.
The coastal region exceeded the overall average and fared the best of all regions, with accommodation on average over 62% filled in 2016. This is particularly interesting, as Swakopmund experienced a remarkable growth in available accommodation in 2015 with hundreds of additional beds added to the already ample offer of tourism accommodation at the coast.
According to Paetzold Han is able to base these figures on the submissions made by its members, who provide their monthly occupancy figures.
While the submissions are not inclusive of all businesses and properties available in the country, the processed report is a very good indicator of tourism performance experienced in Namibia, and compares well with individual experiences of other operators. Paetzold further stressed that safety and security are key to prosperity and urged the Namibian Police, the Namibia Tourism Board, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and all relevant government authorities to ensure that Namibia's environment, both in terms of nature and safety, remains conducive to tourism growth and prosperity.
“Only then will Namibia be able to reach its target, namely to become the most sought-after travel destination in Africa.”
ELLANIE SMIT
However CEO of the Hospitality Association of Namibia (Han) Gitta Paetzold has warned that alarming reports of rising crime levels and in particular brutal armed robberies in Namibia may destroy the country's reputation.
According to Han last year will go down in history as one of the most successful and positive tourism years for Namibia.
At the moment, 2017 promises to be equally positive for tourism, if not better, with a high demand for tourism services currently experienced by tourism operators, said Paetzold.
The results of January 2017 already shows a further increase on the previous year, with an average occupancy of over 45% in January, a month, that is usually seen as the start of Namibia's low season in tourism.
Paetzold said that this trend is of particular importance for Namibia at a time, when other economic sectors, be it fishing, agriculture or mining has to some extent experienced difficulties. “The Namibian tourism industry is fully geared to meet the demands and growing interest of the international travel market in the southern African region and is looking forward to equal or even better results in the coming year.”
She said the tourism sector is however fully aware that outside influences may easily affect its performance.Paetzold said the alarming reports of increasing crime levels and in particular the brutal armed robberies at guesthouses and sites frequented by tourists at the coast may destroy Namibia's opportunity to become the most desirable tourism destination in Africa by the end of this year.
This target has been set in the Tourism Growth Strategy and the National Development Plan 4 and 5 for tourism. However Paetzold said risks to safety and security of travellers and Namibians alike may ruin Namibia's chances of becoming the most popular tourism destination in Africa. She said that Han therefore strongly believes that now is the time to stand together to halt the serious threat that rising crime poses to tourism prosperity.
With regard to the 2016 figures lodges, tented lodges and guest houses seem to be the most popular accommodation facilities throughout Namibia, but hotels faired almost equally well, both in Windhoek and along the Coast.
The coastal region exceeded the overall average and fared the best of all regions, with accommodation on average over 62% filled in 2016. This is particularly interesting, as Swakopmund experienced a remarkable growth in available accommodation in 2015 with hundreds of additional beds added to the already ample offer of tourism accommodation at the coast.
According to Paetzold Han is able to base these figures on the submissions made by its members, who provide their monthly occupancy figures.
While the submissions are not inclusive of all businesses and properties available in the country, the processed report is a very good indicator of tourism performance experienced in Namibia, and compares well with individual experiences of other operators. Paetzold further stressed that safety and security are key to prosperity and urged the Namibian Police, the Namibia Tourism Board, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and all relevant government authorities to ensure that Namibia's environment, both in terms of nature and safety, remains conducive to tourism growth and prosperity.
“Only then will Namibia be able to reach its target, namely to become the most sought-after travel destination in Africa.”
ELLANIE SMIT
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