Tourist arrivals increase by 4.6% in 2022
Ellanie SmitWINDHOEKFigures show that there has been an increase of 4.6% in tourist arrivals to Namibia last year.During his budget motivation, tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta said the figures have increased from 232 756 in 2021 to 243 466 in 2022, adding that this growth is encouraging considering the negative impacts of Covid-19 on the tourism sector globally since its onset.
“However, these visitor numbers remain very low for the country to sustain significant employment in the sector.
“But, we are seeing good signs of recovery.”
The ministry has been allocated N$570.7 million for the 2023/2024 financial year, an increase of 16% compared to the previous financial year.
The tourism growth development and gaming regulations were allocated more than N$23.5 million.
Shifeta said the ministry has improved on the publication and timeliness of tourism statistics.
According to the annual statistical report for 2021, which was published in June 2022, foreign arrivals increased by 29.1% in 2021 compared to 2020.
Meanwhile, tourist arrivals grew by 37.3% from 169 565 in 2020 to 232 756 in 2021, the minister said.
Revival
During the 2022/2023 financial year, the ministry developed a national tourism sector recovery plan for 2022 to 2024 to guide the revival, and reboot and rebuild the sector for more successful and sustainable targeted interventions.
According to Shifeta, some of the main priorities for the 2023/2024 financial year under this programme will be the implementation of the recovery plan to coordinate the resurrection of the sector, create employment opportunities and support livelihoods through tourism.
It will also focus on the development of the National Tourism Bill to strategically re-position and transform the tourism sector for it to become a preferred resource for the fight against poverty and creation of wealth through tourism-based enterprise development.
Further, the development of the national tourism spatial development master plan will also be a priority to provide a framework that will guide the spatial development and improvement of tourism products in Namibia.
Shifeta said another priority will be hosting the Etosha Carnival.
“This is a new product developed with the aim to promote heritage and culture as well as sustainable tourism development.”
Lotteries Board
The strengthening and operationalisation of the Lotteries Board of Namibia is also required for the development of a strategic and integrated business plan, as well as the implementation of the recruitment of operators to conduct a state lotto, he said.
This will be accompanied by the appointment of inspectors and a management structure, Shifeta added.
Furthermore, the overall establishment of the public enterprise sector is required by the new Lotteries Act, he said.
This will “stabilise the enterprise as a meaningful regulatory public entity in the lotteries industry to contribute to national economic development”.
“However, these visitor numbers remain very low for the country to sustain significant employment in the sector.
“But, we are seeing good signs of recovery.”
The ministry has been allocated N$570.7 million for the 2023/2024 financial year, an increase of 16% compared to the previous financial year.
The tourism growth development and gaming regulations were allocated more than N$23.5 million.
Shifeta said the ministry has improved on the publication and timeliness of tourism statistics.
According to the annual statistical report for 2021, which was published in June 2022, foreign arrivals increased by 29.1% in 2021 compared to 2020.
Meanwhile, tourist arrivals grew by 37.3% from 169 565 in 2020 to 232 756 in 2021, the minister said.
Revival
During the 2022/2023 financial year, the ministry developed a national tourism sector recovery plan for 2022 to 2024 to guide the revival, and reboot and rebuild the sector for more successful and sustainable targeted interventions.
According to Shifeta, some of the main priorities for the 2023/2024 financial year under this programme will be the implementation of the recovery plan to coordinate the resurrection of the sector, create employment opportunities and support livelihoods through tourism.
It will also focus on the development of the National Tourism Bill to strategically re-position and transform the tourism sector for it to become a preferred resource for the fight against poverty and creation of wealth through tourism-based enterprise development.
Further, the development of the national tourism spatial development master plan will also be a priority to provide a framework that will guide the spatial development and improvement of tourism products in Namibia.
Shifeta said another priority will be hosting the Etosha Carnival.
“This is a new product developed with the aim to promote heritage and culture as well as sustainable tourism development.”
Lotteries Board
The strengthening and operationalisation of the Lotteries Board of Namibia is also required for the development of a strategic and integrated business plan, as well as the implementation of the recruitment of operators to conduct a state lotto, he said.
This will be accompanied by the appointment of inspectors and a management structure, Shifeta added.
Furthermore, the overall establishment of the public enterprise sector is required by the new Lotteries Act, he said.
This will “stabilise the enterprise as a meaningful regulatory public entity in the lotteries industry to contribute to national economic development”.
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