Tourism contributes 6.9% to GDP

The direct economic contribution of the tourism sector to the national gross domestic product (GDP) has nearly doubled from 3.5% in 2015 to 6.9% in 2022, to the value of N$14.3 billion of the total GDP of N$206.2 billion.This is according to the sixth edition of Namibia’s Tourist Satellite Account Report of 2022.Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta shared this data during his budget motivation and said the tourism sector now directly employs 57 571 persons, representing 7.9% of total employment in the country.“International tourist arrival numbers continue to increase year-on-year, with the latest indicating a record 98.1% increase from 232 756 in 2021 to 461 027 in 2022.”In terms of involving and empowering communities through tourism, Shifeta said the ministry created approximately 150 jobs through the awarding of tourism and hunting concession contracts in the 2023/2024 financial year.Concessions awardedAmong several concessions awarded across the country, contracts were awarded to the Kavango South Lodge Concession and the Kwetchi Lodge Concession. These were both awarded to the Hambukushu community, with 75% allocated to the community and 25% to the government.The Sossusvlei Shuttle and Farm Arbeid Adelt Campsite Concession were awarded to the Maltahöhe and !Karkhoen communities, with 75% going to the communities and government retaining 25%.Shifeta said "the ministry procured joint-venture partners on behalf of the Hambukushu communities through a tender to develop and implement the concessions to the benefit of the communities.”He said the Kavango South Lodge Concession will be developed by Nyime Safaris and Lodges, while the Kwetchi Lodge Concession will be developed by Purple Rain Investments.Moreover, the Buffalo Lodge and Traditional Knowledge Centre Concession was awarded to the Kyaramacan Association, while the Dorob National Park Head Concession Contract, which is the Dune 7 Concession, was awarded to Sandwich Dune Tours and Safaris.The Kwando North Concession was awarded to the Kwando Conservancy and the community, assisted by the ministry, procured A.S.S. Investments as a joint venture partner through public tender during the current financial year to develop and implement the concession.Three Namib Naukluft Park 4x4 activity concessions were awarded to Desert Magic Tours, Namdrenaline Tours Joint Venture, Sandwich Dune Tours and Joan Car Hire.In addition, Shifeta said N$25.9 million was allocated to the Tourism Growth Development and Gaming Regulations programme.

Tourism contributes 6.9% to GDP

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-12

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Tourism contributes 6.9% to GDP

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-12

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