Tourism stats out in December

The latest statistics on tourism arrivals in the country are expected to be released next month and indications are that Namibia will see an increase from its 1.51 million foreign visitors recorded.

Namibia measured a record number of close to 1.5 million foreign visitors in 2015, representing an increase of 7.5% from the previous year, and tourist figures increased by 5.2% from 1.32 million to 1.387 million during the same period.

The Namibian tourism industry last year experienced one of the best results in over a decade, with Namibian tourism accommodation properties recording nearly 60% occupancy across the country and throughout the year.

The tourism arrival statistics for 2016 are expected to be released in December.

This was announced by the tourism ministry at the signing of an agreement with the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) which will see the agency provide technical support in tourism statistics.

Namibia tourism statistics are notoriously delayed with some reports that have in the past been published up to two or three years later, but the new agreement will provide a much-needed boost in statistics.

Statistician-general Alex Shimuafeni said the agreement would make it possible for the country to have up-to-date environment and tourism statistics.

He said that would make it possible for the country to keep up with the tourism sector which is constantly growing and ensure quality statistics at international standards.

“It is important for the country to have tourism statistics to help with planning purposes. As a country, we need to know where tourists are coming from and how many there are each year.”

According to Shimuafeni by having tourism statistics, the country will also be able to know where to target its marketing while attracting foreign investment. He added that it is also important for the country to monitor the environment closely.

Currently the country does not have up to date tourism statistics which makes it difficult to plan for the future. Permanent Secretary Dr Malan Lindeque said the government now more than ever has to look after the tourism industry. “During the economic slowdown the tourism sector is the one sector that has expanded and this year indications are positive again.”

According to him the tourism ministry was among the first institutions that started with resource accounting.

“We are very pleased that we can bring this this up to a higher level with the NSA.”

He noted that it is a difficult concept to think that one can measure the amount of a natural resource.

“What is the actual contribution of the forests, the fresh water and the wildlife to the economy in Namibia?”

Lindeque said that this can however lead to big development mistakes if one does not fully understand the value of these resources.

“If you for instance drain a fresh water resource and replace it with something else, it can have huge impacts.”

He also pointed out that there are discrepancies in the statistics of the Satellite Tourism Account and other national tourism reports that are produced.

This is because the Satellite Tourism Account follows an international method that includes the broader concept of the travel and tourism economy in addition to the narrow concept of the industry.

According to Lindeque it measures tourism and the contribution it makes to the economy much more precisely than other national accounts and comes up with much higher numbers of arrivals, spending and investment in the sector.





ELLANIE SMIT