Tourist arrivals increase by 87 per cent for 2023
• BY ADOLF KAURE
The minister of environment, forestry and tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, revealed that Namibia’s international tourist arrival increased by 87.4 per cent in 2023 through the ministry’s 2023 Tourist Statistical Report. The report presents statistical information for 2023 international tourist arrivals, indicating that the international arrivals increased from 461,027 in 2022 to 863,872 in 2023.
“This notable increase demonstrates that Namibia is a favourable tourist destination for visitors. As we navigate through these statistics encompassed in this report, it is crucial to acknowledge the collaborative efforts of tourism industry stakeholders in collecting and analysing data to complement information that provides a comprehensive understanding of Namibia’s tourism landscape,” said Shifeta. Shifeta emphasised the government’s recognition of tourism as an essential contributor to the national economy as it provides employment opportunities, stimulates local businesses, and generates revenue for the country.
“This recognition signifies a strong vote of confidence in tourism and its ability to spur economic transformation, employment creation and inclusive growth which requires strong partnerships and collaborations with all tourism stakeholders to ensure that Namibia remains a competitive tourist market,” he said. The report indicates that most international tourist arrivals are from neighbouring countries. South Africa, with 349,728 tourists. Germany dominates the primary source market for tourists, with 79,989 tourists.
Furthermore, Angola (112,336 tourists), Zambia (56,243 tourists), Botswana (56,157 tourists), and Zimbabwe (30,460 tourists) formed part of the top African markets. At the same time, the United States (25,526), the United Kingdom (18,426), France (16,002), and the Netherlands (14,822) made part of the top overseas markets. All these countries together formed Namibia’s top ten tourist markets in 2023. MEFT Executive Director Teofilus Nghitila said, “We hope that policymakers, industry professionals, researchers, and enthusiasts alike find value in the insights presented and we continue to work towards the progression of the Namibian tourism sector.”
Namibia also saw a notable increase in tourists from emerging markets such as Canada and China.
These markets increasingly recognise Namibia’s diverse natural beauty and unique travel experiences. In 2023, Namibia continued to witness a robust arrival of tourists, with the African market emerging as the primary driver of this growth, comprising a substantial 71.8 per cent of total tourist arrivals.
The significant contribution from neighbouring SADC countries underscores the enduring appeal of Namibia as a regional destination. Despite facing global challenges, Namibia maintained its allure among international visitors, with the European market accounting for 21.5% of arrivals.
However, the American market, while present, constituted a smaller proportion at just 4.0 per cent of the overall tourist arrivals, highlighting potential opportunities for further expansion and diversification in overseas markets. The primary reason for tourist arrivals in Namibia in 2023 is “holidays’ make up 49.1 per cent of visits.
Following closely behind, 31.3 per cent of tourists came to visit friends or relatives. Conversely, tourist arrivals for business, transit, and other purposes represented 15.8 per cent, 3.6 per cent, and 0.2 per cent, respectively.
When examining the purpose of visits by region, it’s evident that tourists from overseas markets predominantly visit for holidays.
On the other hand, those from the African market mainly come to visit friends or relatives. This trend underscores the diverse motivations behind tourist visits, influenced by personal and regional factors.
South Africa, Germany, and Angola emerged as the leading contributors for leisure and holiday purposes. However, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe took the top spots for business purposes. When considering overseas tourists specifically, Germany, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom comprised the largest share of holidaymakers. Meanwhile, Namibia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and China were the top contributors to business visits. These findings highlight international visitors’ diverse interests and priorities, with certain countries dominating holiday travel while others lead in business-related visits.
INTENDED LENGTH OF STAY
Tourists intended to stay in Namibia for an average length of 14 nights in 2023. This is a slight drop in the average number of nights from the previous year, 2022, when tourists intended to stay for 16 nights. Furthermore, many tourists intended to stay between 4-7 nights, followed by 8-14 nights.
AGE AND GENDER OF VISITORS
As has been the case across the years, male tourists contributed a more significant share compared to female tourists, with the gender distribution comprised 60.7 per cent males and only 39.3 per cent females. A similar pattern was also noticed across all markets where male tourists dominated female tourists.
However, the disparity was more evident among tourists from Africa, with 63.8 per cent male tourists, and Asia, with 61 per cent of tourists being male. The 60 and above age group comprised the highest number of tourist arrivals this year, comprising 22.6 per cent of the total. The 30-39 age group came in second place with 20.4 per cent of tourists, while the 40-49 age group was closely followed with 20.1 per cent of tourists. From the African region, more tourists belonged to the 40 to 49 age group, while In Europe and the American region, more tourists fell in the 60 and above age group.
The Tourist Statistical Report 2023 provides a comprehensive analysis of international tourist arrivals in Namibia, highlighting the sector’s impressive recovery and growth following the COVID-19 pandemic. The report serves as a critical tool for guiding policy development, strategic planning, and collaborative efforts to ensure the continued success and sustainability of Namibian tourism industry