Namibia eyes new markets to boost tourism
Namibia will intensify efforts to market itself as a preferred tourist destination in Asia, the Middle East, the UAE and North America as part of its strategy to diversify tourism markets.
Currently, the vast majority of visitors hail from Europe, with Germany the largest source market.
Tourism minister Indileni Daniel announced in her budget motivation that the Namibian Tourism Board will spearhead this initiative, despite ongoing fiscal constraints.
The minister said more than N$51.2 million has been allocated to the ministry’s tourism growth, development, and gaming regulations programme for the 2025/2026 financial year.
Daniel explained that the programme aims to create a conducive environment for the sustained growth of both the tourism and gaming industries to contribute to Namibia’s socio-economic development.
Growth plans
The minister added that the implementation of Namibia’s tourism sector recovery plan from 2022 to 2024 had achieved notable successes, particularly in the revival of the industry.
The latest Tourist Statistical Report for 2023 showed that tourist arrivals rebounded from 169 565 during the pandemic to 863 872 in 2023.
Daniel said that under the programme, the ministry will also formulate the national spatial tourism development master plan, review the national tourism policy, and develop a Tourism Act aimed at creating a conducive environment for attracting new investments, encouraging product diversification and promoting sustainability.
In addition, the ministry plans to develop a national gaming policy to guide the growth and regulation of Namibia’s gaming sector.
Currently, the vast majority of visitors hail from Europe, with Germany the largest source market.
Tourism minister Indileni Daniel announced in her budget motivation that the Namibian Tourism Board will spearhead this initiative, despite ongoing fiscal constraints.
The minister said more than N$51.2 million has been allocated to the ministry’s tourism growth, development, and gaming regulations programme for the 2025/2026 financial year.
Daniel explained that the programme aims to create a conducive environment for the sustained growth of both the tourism and gaming industries to contribute to Namibia’s socio-economic development.
Growth plans
The minister added that the implementation of Namibia’s tourism sector recovery plan from 2022 to 2024 had achieved notable successes, particularly in the revival of the industry.
The latest Tourist Statistical Report for 2023 showed that tourist arrivals rebounded from 169 565 during the pandemic to 863 872 in 2023.
Daniel said that under the programme, the ministry will also formulate the national spatial tourism development master plan, review the national tourism policy, and develop a Tourism Act aimed at creating a conducive environment for attracting new investments, encouraging product diversification and promoting sustainability.
In addition, the ministry plans to develop a national gaming policy to guide the growth and regulation of Namibia’s gaming sector.
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