Tourist arrivals drop by 3.2%

Namibia recorded a 3.2% decline in international tourist arrivals in 2025, with just over 1.21 million visitors entering the country, prompting renewed calls to improve safety, strengthen destination marketing and boost the country's competitiveness.

According to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism's 2025 Tourist Statistical Report, unveiled in Windhoek on Thursday, Namibia welcomed 1 217 108 tourists last year, down from 1 257 093 in 2024.

Launching the report, environment, forestry and tourism minister Indileni Daniel described the decline as "statistically minor", but said it should serve as a warning for the industry. "While this marginal decrease may be viewed as statistically minor, we must treat it as a wake-up call and a clear signal to renew our focus and improve our competitiveness as a country," she said.

Daniel said the tourism sector continues to face increasing pressure from global economic conditions, shifting traveller preferences, intensifying competition from other destinations, and concerns about visitor safety and security.

She said declines were recorded in several of Namibia's key source markets, including Germany, South Africa and France, with negative publicity surrounding crimes against tourists contributing to weaker demand.

‘Major concern’

"This is an issue of major concern that we simply cannot and should not tolerate," she said.

Daniel also acknowledged that the introduction of Namibia's revised visa requirements may have contributed to the decline, particularly during the initial implementation phase.

"The new visa requirements were necessary," she said, adding that the focus must now shift to restoring confidence in the Namibia tourism brand.

To address safety concerns, the ministry has developed a National Spatial Tourism Masterplan, which recommends establishing a permanent inter-institutional working group dedicated to tourism safety, security and crisis management.

The minister also announced that, for the first time, the annual report includes visitor statistics for Namibia's national parks, describing the addition as an important milestone in improving tourism data.

She thanked stakeholders across the tourism industry, including those working in hospitality, transport, guiding, conservation and cultural enterprises, for their continued contribution to the sector.

Daniel also acknowledged the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security for providing the arrival and departure data used to compile the report.

She noted that the ministry had met its commitment to publish the 2025 tourism statistics before the end of June.

"The report provides essential evidence to guide planning, policy development and the sustainable growth of Namibia's tourism industry," she said.