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Macro Insight: Hospitality Statistics
Macro Insight: Hospitality statistics
Tourist inflows are gaining momentum ahead of Namibia’s peak tourism season (May to September). In April 2025, national hospitality occupancy stood at 54.94%—slightly below 58.19% recorded in April 2024 but marginally above the pre-pandemic level of 54.73% from April 2019. This marks the highest monthly occupancy rate recorded so far in 2025.
Month-on-month, occupancy rose by 24.1% from March 2025, reflecting a strong seasonal rebound. However, the year-todate (YTD) average occupancy remains at 41.49%, still below the 2019 YTD average of 44.92%.
Our Economic Outlook for 2025 identifies tourism as a key growth driver for the remainder of the year. The sector is likely to benefit from concurrent private sector developments such as green hydrogen, oil and gas projects, salmon farming and kelp production in Lüderitz, and expanded gas pipeline and mining activity which are expected to enhance destination visibility and boost visitor numbers.
Namibia’s strategic emphasis on attracting high-net-worth tourists through premium lodges and exclusive eco-tourism experiences positions the sector to better withstand economic volatility. Luxury travel tends to be more resilient during downturns, as affluent travellers are less likely to scale back on travel. This approach not only supports revenue consistency but also ensures continued inflows of high-spending international visitors who make a meaningful contribution to the economy
Regional Performance
Regional performance in April 2025 showed varied momentum across the country. The coastal region recorded the highest occupancy rate at 60.79%, up significantly from 45.95% in March. This sharp increase was largely driven by Easter holiday travel, with many inland residents visiting the coast.
The northern region also experienced an improvement, reaching 55.50%, supported by major events such as the Newspaper Cup and Private Schools’ Weekend hosted in Outjo. In the southern region, occupancy rose modestly to 53.65% from 48.01% in the prior month, indicating a steady recovery. Conversely, the central region recorded the lowest occupancy rate at 44.41% in April, despite an improvement from 41.55% in March. While still lagging other regions, the month-on-month gain signals a gradual rebound.
Market Segmentation
Leisure travel continued to dominate, accounting for 95.16% of all room nights in April. Business travel contributed 3.92%, while conference-related stays remained limited at 0.92%, consistent with April 2024 trends.
Business travellers showed a clear preference for coastal establishments, supported by international delegations tied to Namibia’s energy sector. The coastal region’s business occupancy reached 10.98%, the highest across all regions. The reinstatement of FlyNamibia’s daily flights between Windhoek and Lüderitz further improved access and convenience for business travel.
While business and conference travel provide incremental gains, Namibia’s tourism sector remains firmly driven by leisure travel a trend that is likely to persist over the near term
Tourist Origin Trends – April 2025
As in previous months, the majority of international visitors to Namibia in April 2025 came from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, collectively accounting for 40.29% of total arrivals. This was followed by domestic travellers, who represented 19.30% of occupancy—though notably down from 26.52% in March.
French visitors contributed 6.90%, while travellers from the Benelux region (Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg) increased their share from 4.43% in March to 5.31% in April. The uptick from both the DACH and Benelux markets can largely be attributed to improved connectivity, particularly through direct flights from Frankfurt and the recently launched Munich–Windhoek route operated by Discover Airlines.
Domestic tourism saw a notable decline, likely due to the end of the Easter holiday period. Meanwhile, South African tourist presence saw a modest increase, with their share rising from 7.13% in March to 7.23% in April.
New Developments
The Namibian government launched a targeted tourism marketing campaign aimed at expanding the country's visitor base beyond its traditional European markets. The campaign will focus on three key regions: Asia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and North America. Spearheaded by the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), this initiative forms part of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism’s Programme: Tourism Growth and Development and Gaming Regulation, which has been allocated N$51.3 million for implementation.
The strategic pivot comes at a time when Namibia’s tourism sector is recovering strongly post-COVID-19, with tourist arrivals rising from 169,565 during the pandemic to 863,872 in 2023. By engaging emerging high-potential markets, the Ministry aims to reduce reliance on European tourist inflows primarily from Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium and mitigate exposure to regional economic shocks or travel disruptions.
The initiative also aligns with broader sector reforms, including the development of a National Spatial Tourism Development Master Plan, a review of the National Tourism Policy, and the drafting of a new Tourism Act. These efforts are expected to enhance the investment climate, support infrastructure development, and improve tourism governance.
We believe the implications for Namibia’s Tourism Sector will be:
Market Diversification: Targeting Asia, the UAE, and North America introduces new revenue streams and cushions the sector against downturns in traditional markets.
Foreign Earnings and Job Creation: Increased tourist inflows are likely to boost foreign currency receipts, support job creation, and stimulate investment in hospitality and logistics.
Air Connectivity and Infrastructure: Expanding air routes and tourism-related infrastructure will be essential to attract long-haul travellers from these distant regions.
Cultural Diplomacy and Visibility: The campaign promotes Namibia’s heritage, landscapes, and culture to a broader global audience, fostering international awareness and engagement.
Our Take
Namibia’s tourism sector continued to show positive momentum in April 2025, setting a solid foundation ahead of the peak travel season. Nationwide hospitality occupancy rose to 54.94%, slightly above pre-pandemic levels (April 2019: 54.73%) and marking the highest monthly rate recorded this year. This represents a 24.1% month-on-month increase, with the yearto-date average now at 41.49%, though still below the 2019 benchmark of 44.92%.
Our 2025 tourism forecast projects a sectoral growth rate of 5.5%, underpinned by an anticipated 7.3% rise in visitor numbers and projected tourism revenue of N$4.6 billion. This growth is largely supported by enhanced international connectivity, targeted marketing campaigns in Europe and Asia, and growing interest in eco-tourism and cultural experiences.
Namibia’s strategic shift toward attracting high-net-worth travellers through the development of premium lodges and exclusive eco-tourism offerings is expected to provide resilience against global economic uncertainties. Luxury tourism segments typically remain stable even during periods of financial strain, ensuring a more consistent revenue stream and long-term sector sustainability.
In parallel, ongoing promotional efforts that position Namibia as a year-round destination are helping reduce seasonality and drive more consistent demand across regions. Efforts to align tourism development with the National Tourism Policy, the upcoming Tourism Act, and the Spatial Tourism Development Master Plan remain vital to securing investor confidence and sectoral growth.
Policy and Investment Priorities
To maintain competitiveness and support sustainable expansion, key focus areas include:
Streamlining visa procedures to facilitate travel from core and emerging markets.
Accelerating public and private investment in tourism infrastructure, especially in high-demand regions.
Enhancing air access and route development, including links to underserved markets.
Promoting sustainable tourism standards and responsible travel experiences to meet global eco-tourism expectations.
Namibia’s tourism sector is well-positioned for recovery and expansion in 2025. With the right policy support, strategic marketing, and infrastructure investments, the industry can continue to play a pivotal role in economic diversification, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings solidifying Namibia’s standing as a top-tier destination for sustainable travel in Africa.
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