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SECTOR BRIEF NAMIBIA:
Tourism
Overview to Namibia has led to a much-needed growth in this sector,
Tourism is the fastest growing economic sector in Namibia and including job opportunities, human resource development as
employs over 100,000 Namibians, especially from rural areas, well as investment in infrastructure.
making this sector an important employer that helps reducing The hospitality and tourism industry contributed N$5.2 billion
rural poverty. In addition, Namibias’s tourism sector is also one (€ 270 million) directly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP),
of the most competetive sectors in the world. which is equivalent to 3.5 % of the total GDP and is responsible
Original landscapes, untouched savannah, the oldest desert for 44,700 of direct employment in the sector, including over
in the world, the Namib, exotic wildlife and a unique mixture 2,900 tourism-based jobs created in community conservation
of African and European influences make Namibia a fascinating areas in 2018. Another N$26 billion are contributed indirectly,
travel destination. In no other African country do German adding up to a total of about 14,5 % of GDP.
speaking visitors make conversations as easily as in Namibia Arrival details
because many people speak and understand the German
language. Most arrivals have come from other African countries, such as
Angola (447,296), South Africa (345,376), Zambia (213,184),
Zimbabwe (96,028), Botswana (57,950) and other African coun-
Tourism statistics tries (27,250). The arrivals from Europe only come to 320,139.
Germany, Switzerland and Austria, namely the German speaking
Since 2014, the number of foreign arrivals has been continuously countries, count for 48 % of all European arrivals.
growing. In figures, 1,681.336 million tourists visited the country On average tourists stayed in Namibia for 19 days. The tourists
in 2019. The largest arrivals and top 10 tourist markets were from to Namibia are largely from the age group 50+, with 60.4 % men
Angola, South Africa, Zambia, Germany, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and 39.6 % women.
France, United Kingdom, USA and China. The increase in t ourism
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Sector Brief Namibia: Tourism
Foreign Arrivals to Namibia by Years, 2014 – 2019
1,700,000
1,650,000
1,600,000
1,550,000
1,500,000
1,450,000
1,400,000
1,350,000 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
1,300,000
Source: Tourist Statistical Report 2019, Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism
Entry requirements Regular visa rules apply, according to which tourists from
The entry requirements for German tourists are comparatively visa-exempt countries (including Germany) can stay in the
low. Upon arrival in Namibia, a tourist permit for up to 90 days country for up to 90 days without a visa. The responsible
per annum will be issued. Travellers require a passport that is Namibian diplomatic representation must be notified in
still valid for at least six months and has two empty pages. writing 14 days before entering Namibia with the respective
travel intentions. This obligation does not apply to leisure
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic and tourists, as there is an exchange of information between
the airlines approaching Namibia and the responsible
Tourism Revival Initiative Namibian authorities.
The tourism industry in Namibia is one of the sectors that has
been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and was faced Regulatory bodies and
with unprecedented challenges. Following a long struggle and a
slump in tourist figures, Namibian tourism stakeholders requested frameworks
a recovery plan for the tourism sector. As a result, President Hage
Geingob announced the “International Tourism Revival Initiative” in Ministry of Environment, Forestry & Tourism
collaboration with the tourism and hospitality sector, as an effort The mission of this government body is to promote biodiversity
to kick-start the recovery of the tourism sector. Persistent fear of conservation in the Namibian environment through the s ustainable
traveling i nternationally is still hampering the recovery pace. The utilisation of natural resources and tourism development. It consists
accommodation and food service has been severely affected by of three departments, focusing on Tourism, Planning and Admin-
the pandemic – this includes hotels, restaurants, breweries, etc. istration; Natural Resources Management; and Environmental
The efforts to promote domestic tourism are only helpful to a Affairs and Forestry. Each of the departments has directorates
certain extent. that are entrusted with responsibilities from Wildlife & National
Parks, Tourism & Gaming, Conservancies to Natural Resources
Number of Travellers from Germany 2014 – 2018 Management, to only name a few.
Year Travellers from Germany Namibian Tourism Board (NTB)
This government agency is the executor of the national policy
2014 86,121 on tourism. The NTB’s mission is to market and develop tourism
2015 90,729 to Namibia from all over the world and within the country.
2016 122,142 Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations (FENATA)
2017 123,022 FENATA was founded to organise the cooperation and
coordination of tourism companies. This umbrella organisation
2018 123,908 of tourism associations acts as a communication bridge
between the government and FENATA members and serves
Source: Deutscher Reiseverband, 2020 as the “voice” of the Namibian tourism industry.
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Sector Brief Namibia: Tourism
Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) Ecotourism: Ecotourism is particularly important in Namibia.
NWR is a state-owned enterprise whose only stakeholder is the The constitution stipulates that the state should actively promote
Namibian government that is mandated to run the tourism facilities the well-being of the people. In this way, the ecosystem and
within the protected areas of Namibia. This enterprise belongs to biodiversity are both being protected and sustained.
the people of Namibia and was created through an Act of Parliament, Conservancies: Namibia is known for its conservancy programme
called the Namibia Wildlife Resorts Company Act. under the Community Based Natural Resource Management
(CBNRM) that has acclaimed international acknowledgment. The
Requirements for registration as a tour and quantity of communal conservancies expanded to 86 by the end of
safari operator 2018 covering a territory of 166,179 km², which is about 55.4 %
To register with the Namibian Tourism Board, an operator needs of all communal land in the country and amounts to more than
the following: 20 % of Namibia’s country land surface.
A v ehicle that is registered to the company that is making Communal Conservancy: Namibia has one of the most modern
the application and innovative protection programs in Africa. In total, 26 parks and
P ublic Road Carrier permits for that vehicle reservations help to protect rare and endangered animal species,
stabilise populations and help them to increase the population.
This applies to any individual or company that wishes to offer or National Parks of Namibia: Namibia offers a large number of
carry out tours in Namibia. It is mandatory to register as a tour national parks, wildlife parks, nature reserves and protected areas,
and safari operator. Alternatively, an existing operator can be used. which make up around 18 % of the country’s available surface area.
Nature-based tourism The five biggest and most sought-after national parks in Namibia
are the following:
To ensure the sustainable use of wildlife resources, the Ministry 1. The Etosha National Park
of Environment, Forestry & Tourism promotes the conservation
of wildlife habitats and natural resources in Namibia. Protected 2. The Namib Naukluft National Park
areas cover around 17 % of Namibia’s surface area and comprise 3. The Waterberg Plateau Park
well-known tourist destinations such as the Etosha National Park,
the Namib-Naukluft Park and the Skeleton Coast Park. Communal 4. The Skeleton Coast National Park
conservancies contribute an additional 20.2 %, which leads to a 5. The Mudumu National Park
total of at least 37 % of Namibia’s land surface under some form
of conservation.
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Sector Brief Namibia: Tourism
Community-based tourism Otjikandero Himba Orphan Village
Community-based tourism (CBT) is managed and owned by the The Himba tribe is one of the last tribes in Africa that still
community for the community with the objective to raise or increase lives strictly within their tradition. In 1999, Jaco Burger
the visitor’s awareness about a specific area. With the tours to the moved to Kaokoland to work and live with the local
rural and often poor communities, the residents earn an income Himba tribe in Namibia. During his stay, he met Mukajo
as service providers, employees, land managers or entrepreneurs. and together they founded the Himba Orphan project.
The community-based tourism allows tourists to discover local The village is situated about 20 km outside of Kamanjab
wildlife, habitats and learn how to respect and cherish traditional on a local cattle farm. Guided tours give visitors an
culture, rituals and wisdom. One example for community- based in-depth insight into the traditional way of life of this
tourism is the Otjikandero Himba Orphan Village. fascinating tribe.
The money that is received for the tours to the Himba
Namibia Cruise Tourism project goes into a trust, which provides the residents of
A popular way of travel to Namibia is via a cruise. With this village with food and other necessities. The children
Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, Namibia has two deep-water see a doctor every month and if necessary, receive inocula-
harbours where tourists can go ashore. tions against western diseases, as they are exposed to
Shore excursions on boat trips to Swakopmund usually start many tourists during the tours and need to be protected.
in Walvis Bay. In addition to the plentiful biodiversity under In addition, this project helps the entire community who
water, Walvis Bay harbours a vast variety of sea birds at are struggling with livestock, supporting families with
specific times of the year, heralding its natural lagoon as a meat, maize flour, clothes and blankets.
world- famous bird sanctuary. The desert landscape can be
explored on a guided tour by jeep.
Boat cruises on some of the rivers are also available to tourists, Business opportunities and risks
e.g. in the Kavango region in Northern Namibia.
The opportunities and risks for European companies that would
Business activities in the Namibian like to do business in the Namibian tourism sector relate to the
countries general SWOT analysis. In addition, the tourism sector
tourism sector is defined by certain unique conditions.
The Namibian economy is defined by a small local market, as Namibia can rely on vast mineral resources, like diamonds, uranium
well as the focus on certain industries. Nevertheless, the country and copper. However, this also creates a dependency on those com-
holds the potential to become a regional trade hub. Additionally, modities, especially when looking at the share of GDP and export
certain sectors and niche industries hold opportunities for volumes. While the industrial bases are still small, certain industries
future growth and development of the country. This includes are experiencing recent growth, like game meat and natural cosmetics.
the energy sector, specialised agriculture and fisheries, as well
as the tourism industry.
SWOT Analysis Namibia
Strengths Weaknesses
→ available resources → small industrial base
→ well-developed institutions → dependency on resource exports (diamonds, uranium)
→ high national and regional logistical intregration → extreme social inequality
→ good conditions for renewable energies → excessive government sector
Opportunities Threats
→ development towards a regional hub → social unrest (economic impact of Corona crisis)
→ investment needed in energy sector → economic difficulties in neighbouring countries
→ development of niche industries South Africa and Angola
(natural cosmetics, game meat) → rising state debt
Source: Germany Trade and Invest, 2020
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