Government acts on over-tourism threat
New spatial plan to protect fragile environments
Namibia's most iconic tourism sites are increasingly vulnerable.
Namibia’s tourism ministry has warned that the country’s most iconic tourism sites are increasingly vulnerable to over-tourism, prompting the development of a new spatial tourism master plan aimed at protecting fragile ecosystems while guiding future investment.
The ministry's deputy executive director Seimy Shidute said over-tourism has become a risk to Namibia’s core tourism offering, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas such as Etosha National Park and Sossusvlei.
“Equally, over-tourism can have an impact or destroy our attributes, which are our selling point for tourism,” she warned during a stakeholder consultation meeting in Swakopmund on Tuesday.
The plan, expected to be completed and submitted to the president by end of June, will map all developed and undeveloped attractions in the country alongside infrastructure and services using GIS data. It aims to prevent unplanned tourism growth that could degrade key sites and instead promote geographically balanced development.
Shidute said Namibia is still primarily viewed as a nature-based destination, with increasing visitor pressure on limited locations.
“We want to make sure that what we are developing now is for generations to come,” she said, stressing the need to preserve the country’s natural assets to ensure long-term sustainability.
The spatial plan will also address infrastructure constraints, zoning regulations and value chain readiness before introducing new tourism developments.
“You cannot go and put up a facility if there are no communication networks, no water supply, no electrical supply,” Shidute said.
Protect tourism foundations
Joseph Okori, a technical advisor for the consultation process covering all 14 regions, with Swakopmund’s session representing Erongo and the region described as a benchmark area in tourism development, said the plan would integrate land use planning with sustainability goals and infrastructure strategy.
“This country has a very fragile environment. It needs to be looked after,” he said. “If we degrade our environment, we lose the foundation of our tourism economy.”
He added that the plan would enable regional-level tourism planning and diversification, supporting new attractions and industries while reducing pressure on existing hotspots.
“We are asking: What is the unique selling value of every region? What can they offer the tourism economy?” he explained.
The move comes as Namibia works to rebuild its tourism sector after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The master plan will span ten years from 2025 and will include a three-year implementation framework with quarterly and annual reporting. It will also align with national development plans and international environmental and sustainability commitments.
Shidute called on stakeholders to help shape the plan through a bottom-up approach.
“We did not come here with already a draft plan... we want to hear from you what the assets and opportunities are,” she said.
The ministry's deputy executive director Seimy Shidute said over-tourism has become a risk to Namibia’s core tourism offering, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas such as Etosha National Park and Sossusvlei.
“Equally, over-tourism can have an impact or destroy our attributes, which are our selling point for tourism,” she warned during a stakeholder consultation meeting in Swakopmund on Tuesday.
The plan, expected to be completed and submitted to the president by end of June, will map all developed and undeveloped attractions in the country alongside infrastructure and services using GIS data. It aims to prevent unplanned tourism growth that could degrade key sites and instead promote geographically balanced development.
Shidute said Namibia is still primarily viewed as a nature-based destination, with increasing visitor pressure on limited locations.
“We want to make sure that what we are developing now is for generations to come,” she said, stressing the need to preserve the country’s natural assets to ensure long-term sustainability.
The spatial plan will also address infrastructure constraints, zoning regulations and value chain readiness before introducing new tourism developments.
“You cannot go and put up a facility if there are no communication networks, no water supply, no electrical supply,” Shidute said.
Protect tourism foundations
Joseph Okori, a technical advisor for the consultation process covering all 14 regions, with Swakopmund’s session representing Erongo and the region described as a benchmark area in tourism development, said the plan would integrate land use planning with sustainability goals and infrastructure strategy.
“This country has a very fragile environment. It needs to be looked after,” he said. “If we degrade our environment, we lose the foundation of our tourism economy.”
He added that the plan would enable regional-level tourism planning and diversification, supporting new attractions and industries while reducing pressure on existing hotspots.
“We are asking: What is the unique selling value of every region? What can they offer the tourism economy?” he explained.
The move comes as Namibia works to rebuild its tourism sector after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The master plan will span ten years from 2025 and will include a three-year implementation framework with quarterly and annual reporting. It will also align with national development plans and international environmental and sustainability commitments.
Shidute called on stakeholders to help shape the plan through a bottom-up approach.
“We did not come here with already a draft plan... we want to hear from you what the assets and opportunities are,” she said.
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