RECOVERY: Namutoni was one of NWR’s key resorts that was recently fully booked. Photo: NWR
RECOVERY: Namutoni was one of NWR’s key resorts that was recently fully booked. Photo: NWR

NWR’s key resorts fully booked as tourism recovers

Ellanie Smit
Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) has expressed its delight about the continued positive recovery of Namibia's tourism industry, with some of its key resorts recently fully booked out.

Accommodation establishments in Namibia recorded an overall occupancy rate of 60.98% for July, just outperforming 2019 when an occupancy rate of 59.6% was recorded.

The tourism ministry recently announced that Namibia recorded 539 601 foreign arrivals in 2022, a substantial 99.4% rise from the 270 644 recorded the previous year.

Meanwhile, the number of tourists who visited Namibia increased to 461 027 in 2022, up 98.1% from the previous year’s 232 756 visitors. This figure indicates a 28.9% recovery level from the 2019 tourist arrival statistics.



Resilience

Nelson Ashipala, NWR spokesperson, said with the current upswing in visitor numbers, the company is on track to a better performance in the current financial year.

He said in a significant achievement that underscores the resilience of Namibia's tourism sector, the weekend of 18 to 20 August saw NWR’s key resorts, including Halali, Okaukuejo, Olifantsrus, Namutoni, and Sesriem, achieve an impressive 100% occupancy rate.

"This remarkable milestone serves as a testament to the unwavering interest in Namibia's breath-taking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and exceptional hospitality offerings," said Ashipala.



Inspirational

Managing director of NWR, Dr Matthias Ngwangwama, expressed his satisfaction with the robust recovery the company has witnessed.

"We are thrilled to witness such a swift rebound in tourism. The dedication of our team, along with the enduring allure of Namibia's natural wonders, has played a pivotal role in our rapid resurgence. We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of service and providing unforgettable experiences for our esteemed guests."

He said NWR's success story stands as an inspiration to the entire hospitality industry, highlighting the potential for recovery even in the face of unprecedented challenges.

Ngwangwama emphasised the importance of collaboration among hospitality players to collectively enhance the quality of visitor experiences across the nation.

"As the tourism industry rebuilds, we encourage all stakeholders to unite in delivering unparalleled hospitality. Our guests deserve nothing less than the best, and by working together, we can elevate Namibia's reputation as a premier travel destination."

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Namibian Sun 2024-05-18

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Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 414.72/OZ UP +1.55% | Copper US$ 5.04/lb UP +4.12% | Zinc US$ 3 059.30/T UP 0.11% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 84.28/BBP UP +0.60% | Platinum US$ 1 084.88/OZ UP +2.19% Sport results: Premier League: Manchester United 3 vs 2 Newcastle | Brighton 1 vs 2 Chelsea LaLiga: Real Sociedad 1 vs 0 Valencia | Almería 0 vs 2 Barcelona | Las Palmas 2 vs 2 Real Betis | Celta Vigo 2 vs 1 Athletic Club | Getafe 0 vs 3 Atletico Madrid | Sevilla 0 vs 1 Cadiz | Rayo Vallecano 2 vs 1 Granada SerieA: Fiorentina 2 vs 2 Napoli European Championships Qualifying: Southampton 3 vs 1 West Bromwich Albion | Leeds United 4 vs 0 Norwich City English Championship: Southampton 3 vs 1 West Bromwich Albion | Leeds United 4 vs 0 Norwich City Weather: Katima Mulilo: 10° | 31° Rundu: 10° | 30° Eenhana: 12° | 31° Oshakati: 13° | 31° Ruacana: 12° | 31° Tsumeb: 14° | 29° Otjiwarongo: 12° | 27° Omaruru: 13° | 30° Windhoek: 12° | 27° Gobabis: 13° | 27° Henties Bay: 19° | 33° Wind speed: 41km/h, Wind direction: NE, Low tide: 06:32, High tide: 12:50, Low Tide: 18:28, High tide: 00:56 Swakopmund: 20° | 23° Wind speed: 30km/h, Wind direction: SE, Low tide: 06:30, High tide: 12:48, Low Tide: 18:26, High tide: 00:54 Walvis Bay: 22° | 32° Wind speed: 30km/h, Wind direction: SE, Low tide: 06:30, High tide: 12:47, Low Tide: 18:26, High tide: 00:53 Rehoboth: 12° | 27° Mariental: 16° | 29° Keetmanshoop: 17° | 29° Aranos: 16° | 29° Lüderitz: 19° | 35° Ariamsvlei: 16° | 31° Oranjemund: 14° | 31° Luanda: 24° | 28° Gaborone: 13° | 27° Lubumbashi: 11° | 27° Mbabane: 11° | 23° Maseru: 8° | 23° Antananarivo: 14° | 24° Lilongwe: 15° | 26° Maputo: 19° | 26° Windhoek: 12° | 27° Cape Town: 15° | 20° Durban: 16° | 24° Johannesburg: 15° | 24° Dar es Salaam: 24° | 32° Lusaka: 15° | 26° Harare: 12° | 26° Economic Indicators: Currency: GBP to NAD 23.01 | EUR to NAD 19.73 | CNY to NAD 2.51 | USD to NAD 18.15 | DZD to NAD 0.13 | AOA to NAD 0.02 | BWP to NAD 1.3 | EGP to NAD 0.38 | KES to NAD 0.14 | NGN to NAD 0.01 | ZMW to NAD 0.7 | ZWL to NAD 0.04 | BRL to NAD 3.55 | RUB to NAD 0.2 | INR to NAD 0.22 | USD to DZD 134.35 | USD to AOA 847.42 | USD to BWP 13.49 | USD to EGP 46.86 | USD to KES 130.48 | USD to NGN 1467 | USD to ZAR 18.15 | USD to ZMW 25.45 | USD to ZWL 321 | Stock Exchange: JSE All Share Index 79530.63 Up +0.03% | Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) Overall Index 1754.58 Up +0.81% | Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) MASI 13426.13 Up +0.11% | Egyptian Exchange (EGX) 30 Index 26142.84 Up +3.27% | Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) DCI 9151.06 Same 0 | NSX: MTC 7.75 SAME | Anirep 8.99 SAME | Capricorn Investment group 17.34 SAME | FirstRand Namibia Ltd 49 DOWN 0.50% | Letshego Holdings (Namibia) Ltd 4.1 UP 2.50% | Namibia Asset Management Ltd 0.7 SAME | Namibia Breweries Ltd 31.49 UP 0.03% | Nictus Holdings - Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 414.72/OZ UP +1.55% | Copper US$ 5.04/lb UP +4.12% | Zinc US$ 3 059.30/T UP 0.11% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 84.28/BBP UP +0.60% | Platinum US$ 1 084.88/OZ UP +2.19%