Tourism sector contributes N$14,3b to GDP

The Namibia Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) report has shown that the tourism sector contributed N$14,3 billion in 2022 with the total national gross domestic product (GDP) standing at N$206,2 billion.

According to the report, which was launched in Windhoek yesterday, tourism’s direct gross value added stood at N$13,2 billion.

The director of tourism and gaming in the ministry of environment, forestry and tourism, Sebulon Chicalu, said Namibia welcomed 527 610 inbound visitors in 2022, who collectively spent about N$14,8 billion.

“The majority, 81,1% of the overall expenditure, came from visitors on holiday, leisure, or recreation. Overnight visitors made about 4,7 million trips, while same-day visitors made about 2,6 million trips,” he said.

The tourism sector employs about 57 571 people, as computed using the 2018 Labour Force Survey.

According to the report, visitors in the friends and relatives category accounted for N$1 billion (17%), while those on business trips and in transit spent N$932,3 million and N$145,8 million, respectively.

Domestic tourism also played a significant role, with overnight visitors spending N$2,1 billion on food and beverage-serving services.

Pohamba Shifeta, the environment minister, said the tourism sector is a driver of economic growth.

“Tourism is not just about travel and leisure; the sector is a vital economic driver of the Namibian economy.”

He said the alignment of Namibia’s TSA with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation framework and its role in increasing tourism market intelligence through statistics and data collection is being met with this report launch.

“With the launch of this report, policymakers, industry stakeholders, researchers and the public at large will now have access to robust data that can guide strategic planning and policy formulation in the sector,” Shifeta said.

The launch event also featured remarks from United Nations resident coordinator Hopolang Phororo, who commended Namibia’s commitment to harnessing tourism’s potential for inclusive growth.

Phororo highlighted the TSA’s role in providing evidence-based data that supports informed decision-making and policy formulation.

“The TSA is an indispensable element in Namibia’s data and information ecosystem, serving the economy and public with data about the socio-economic and cultural contribution of the sector,” he said.