Tourism is becoming an increasingly important foreign exchange earner and job provider for Namibia. Data obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism shows that the foreign arrivals (including permanent residents and day visitors) to Namibia in 2007 numbered 1 126 759. Of these arrivals, 82.44% were tourists, of which 51.07% were holiday and leisure travelers. According to the preliminary Tourism Satellite Accounts for 2007, Namibia generated N$10.9 billion from travel and tourism activity, earned N$4.9 billion from foreign tourists and contributed 15.1% to GDP. Seventy-seven thousand Namibians are currently employed in the Travel & Tourism Economy, which represents 18.8 per cent of the total workforce in Namibia.
Namibia has 23 government parks and reserves and 161 privately owned game reserves, covering approximately 15% of the total land area. In addition to the 12 government-owned rest camps in these parks, which are managed by Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), the tourism infrastructure in the rest of the country is well developed. Hotels, pensions, guest farms and resorts are generally of a high standard and are managed on a similar basis as tourist accommodation establishments in Europe.
The Global Economic Crisis has seen a downturn in international travel of up to 15% overall, more for some regions of the world. Africa is expected to suffer a 5–8% downturn, with the SADC region predicted to have a downturn of more than 12–15% in 2009. The Bank of Namibia forecasts a 20% downturn in the tourism industry in Namibia. Our naturally Namibian tourism products have a competitive advantage in our region and we are world renowned as a value-for-money tourism destination. Even though Namibia's primary source markets are hard hit by the economic crisis, none of this indicates a depression or slump in our industry.
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Lodges/hotels accommodatin representation in Namibia (11.09.2009) Representation Companies Namibia is a vast country with a wide variety of tourist destinations and establishments, ranging from upmarket lodges and luxury hotels to basic rest camps, bed-and-breakfast establishments and self-catering facilities. Many are located in remote regions, often far from modern amenities. Over the past few years, representation companies have played an essential role in promoting and presenting these tourism products to specific target markets. There are several companies in this category that represent a selection of specialised accommodation establishments.
The largest representation company in this group is Protea Hotels Namibia. Formed in 2006, Protea Hotels Namibia is the product of a joint venture between the United Africa Hospitality Group and the Protea Hospitality Corporation. Protea Hotels Namibia has the following 10 establishments in its portfolio: • Protea Hotel Fürstenhof • Protea Hotel Ondangwa • Guesthouse Indongo • Protea Hotel Sea View Zum Sperrgebiet • Protea Hotel Pelican Bay • Protea Hotel Walvis Bay • Protea Hotel Longbeach Lodge • Protea Hotel Zambezi River Lodge • African Pride Burning Shore Hotel • Protea Hotel Thuringer Hof United Africa Hospitality has the following two establishments in its portfolio: • De Duine Hotel • Oshakati Country Hotel
The second largest representation company, is the Gondwana Collection with the following 11 establishments in its portfolio: • Kalahari Anib Lodge • Kalahari Farm House • Canon Lodge • Canon Village • Canon Roadhouse • Canon Mountain Camp • Klein-Aus Vista – Desert Horse Inn • Klein-Aus Vista – Eagle’s Nest • Namib Desert Lodge • Etosha Safari Camp • Etosha Safari Lodge
Namibia Country Lodges has the following six establishments in its portfolio: • Opuwo Country Hotel • Namushasha Country Lodge (Caprivi) • Tsumkwe Country Lodge • Twyfelfontein Country Lodge • Solitaire Country Lodge • Auob Country Lodge
Namibia Tourism, which runs the two international tourism offices in Frankfurt and Cape Town, and has trade and PR representatives in London, Johannesburg, Beijing, Shanghai, Paris and Rome, also falls in this category. These offices, as well as Namibian embassies around the world, provide information on tourism in the country at large. Namibia Reservations is a tour facilitator that makes arrangements for accommodation, self-guided safaris, self-drive tours, car rentals and adventure activities, specialising in tailor-made tours. The Namibia Travel Planner, which is part of the Venture Publications Website, is an online travel shop and booking agent. In a nutshell, the Travel Planner acts as the facilitator between the consumer and the advertiser. It features the best products from our regular Namibia Holiday & Travel advertisers and acts as an online marketing tool to attract consumers. Anything from day tours, scenic flights, accommodation, car rentals and activities are featured on the Travel Planner, assuring that your Namibian holiday is just a click away.
Community Based Tourism (07.09.2009)
Gone are the days when community campsites were avoided in preference to better-equipped campsites. Nowadays the community campsites, especially in the north west and north east of the country, have stylishly natural designs, using the material of the area such as ‘latte’ (sapling poles), and reeds and thatch in the Caprivi Region, with some being constructed creatively in boulder alcoves or on riverbanks. The majority have flush toilets and hot water, provided either by solar panels or the remarkably efficient wood-burning ‘donkeys’, and a shaded lapa area or kitchen counter with sink and wooden railway-sleeper counter tops. Others, in the watery north, have decks overlooking the river. With exclusive camping now emerging whereby campers have a private site equipped with their own ablution facility, camping has moved to comfort in the wilds. With good facilities, attractive construction, well-selected sites and luxuries such as hot water, water taps and flush toilets, camping is hardly roughing it. Rather it has been whittled down to the necessities, providing all you need for a positive and pleasurable experience. The outdoors does the rest. Starlight, animal and insect sounds, moonshine and beautiful landscapes provide the settings for good experiences and great accommodation at affordable rates. Some of the campsites provide a base from where to enjoy and explore the national parks, the highlights of the country and magnificent scenery, while others provide opportunities to meet the various and interesting ethnic groups of Namibia, eat local food, visit local homesteads, make new friends and experience new cultures. Craft initiatives give the local craftsmen outlets for their well-made goods, ranging from baskets that are works of art in themselves to attractive hand-made paper products. They also give visitors to the country an opportunity to buy authentic Namibian crafts. Information offices provide useful information about the areas, activities, attractions and recommended guided trips. The proceeds for the community endeavours and establishments return to the communities, conservancies or local craftsmen, rather than private enterprises, thus directly benefiting the people of Namibia.
Tourism structures (01.09.2009)
In accordance with Government's legal and policy instruments (the National Policy on Tourism for Namibia, the Environmental Management Act, 2007, the Tourism Industry Transformation Charter and the Namibia Tourism Board Act, 2000 amongst others) rigid standards of protection, conservation and control are practised to ensure sustainable utilisation of Namibia's natural assets by the tourism industry.
Eco awards (01.09.2009)
The eco awards Namibia programme was launched in 2004 to promote sustainable tourism practices, where sustainable practices are defined as …development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs and aspirations… by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987.
Regional tourism (01.09.2009)
According to the 2030 Vision of the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), the expected tourism arrivals for Southern Africa or the SADC Region are approximately half those estimated for Africa.
Hunting and hunting safaris (01.09.2009)
One of the main attractions of trophy hunting in Namibia is the high standard of ethics maintained by the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA).
