September occupancy halts tourism recovery trajectory
• Leisure travel dominates numbers
The 65% occupancy rate for the third quarter of the year is slightly higher than in 2019, when it stood at 64.74%.
Accommodation establishments in Namibia recorded an overall 2% occupancy decline in September from the 2019 levels, halting the growth recorded in July and August.
According to statistics provided by the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN), the occupancy rate for September was 65.48%.
The year 2019 is known as the last 'normal' year for tourism before the pandemic hit.
“Leisure travel still dominated the occupancy numbers at Namibian establishments, although some hotels are reporting a gradual increase in demand for business and conference packages,” HAN CEO Gitta Paetzold said.
The 65% occupancy rate of the third quarter of this year is slightly higher than in 2019, when it was 64.74%.
According to Paetzold, comparative figures indicate that the growth is mainly due to an increase in arrivals from central Europe, with bookings from Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as France and Italy totalling 3% more than in 2019.
Visitor countries
Meanwhile, during the third quarter of this year, a total of 34.6% of guests originated from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The Benelux countries constituted over 6.9% of all visitors, while Italy and France also proved a valuable source market, with 8.07% and 8.03% respectively.
Tourists from the United States of America and Canada made up 4.19% of all visitors at establishments in July.
This while locals constituted 16.3% at accommodation facilities, and South Africans took up 16.8%.
Looking promising
In discussions with the wider travel industry, it was emphasised that accommodation performance indicators exceed the level of recovery of the larger tour operation sector, Paetzold said.
This has revealed that online reservations and the self-drive component of the Namibian tourism market were the first to fully recover and grow.
An early prognosis for 2024 would indicate further recovery of the group-travel market, with forward bookings for that segment looking promising, she added.
“As Namibia now gradually moves into the tourism shoulder season, it is hoped that preparations - in terms of strong marketing efforts within the international and regional markets - are being made, while service providers and property and infrastructure owners should use the time for maintenance, skills development and product optimisation. This will ensure that Namibia is able to maintain the momentum of a growing and vibrant tourism industry."
According to statistics provided by the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN), the occupancy rate for September was 65.48%.
The year 2019 is known as the last 'normal' year for tourism before the pandemic hit.
“Leisure travel still dominated the occupancy numbers at Namibian establishments, although some hotels are reporting a gradual increase in demand for business and conference packages,” HAN CEO Gitta Paetzold said.
The 65% occupancy rate of the third quarter of this year is slightly higher than in 2019, when it was 64.74%.
According to Paetzold, comparative figures indicate that the growth is mainly due to an increase in arrivals from central Europe, with bookings from Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as France and Italy totalling 3% more than in 2019.
Visitor countries
Meanwhile, during the third quarter of this year, a total of 34.6% of guests originated from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The Benelux countries constituted over 6.9% of all visitors, while Italy and France also proved a valuable source market, with 8.07% and 8.03% respectively.
Tourists from the United States of America and Canada made up 4.19% of all visitors at establishments in July.
This while locals constituted 16.3% at accommodation facilities, and South Africans took up 16.8%.
Looking promising
In discussions with the wider travel industry, it was emphasised that accommodation performance indicators exceed the level of recovery of the larger tour operation sector, Paetzold said.
This has revealed that online reservations and the self-drive component of the Namibian tourism market were the first to fully recover and grow.
An early prognosis for 2024 would indicate further recovery of the group-travel market, with forward bookings for that segment looking promising, she added.
“As Namibia now gradually moves into the tourism shoulder season, it is hoped that preparations - in terms of strong marketing efforts within the international and regional markets - are being made, while service providers and property and infrastructure owners should use the time for maintenance, skills development and product optimisation. This will ensure that Namibia is able to maintain the momentum of a growing and vibrant tourism industry."
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article