Occupancy rates at Namibian properties were 1% higher in 2024 than in pre-pandemic 2019 – driven by the sustained strength of the Central European market. Full-year statistics released by the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) show an average national room occupancy of 54.48% across 149 properties. This is nearly 3% higher than the prior year and 1% higher than 2019.
HAN Chief Executive Officer Gitta Paetzold credited increased occupancies to continual growth of the country’s largest and most established source market region of Central Europe – led by Germany, Switzerland and Austria. These three countries accounted for a shade under 36% of all 2024 occupancies.
“We believe the strong performance of the Central European market is directly linked to easy access into Namibia through direct airline connectivity between Windhoek and the international hub in Frankfurt, Germany,” said Paetzold, referring to Discover Airlines’ direct route.
She said the tourism sector is looking forward to the Lufthansa subsidiary’s launch of direct thrice-weekly flights between Munich and the Namibian capital from April 1.
“It is imperative to add to Namibia’s air access capacity if we want to see the arrival numbers grow in future. HAN is hopeful that continued efforts of the Namibia Airports Company and its Air Connect Namibia initiative will bear fruits soon and lead to the arrival of more international airlines connecting Namibia to global travel markets.”
While voicing optimism at the country’s prospects for 2025, Paetzold asserted the need for clarity about the new visa policy regime set to be effective from April 1.
“Namibia is a stable, peace-loving nation with convenient infrastructure and unique attractions. We sincerely hope, very soon, Namibia will pronounce, clearly and prominently, its new visa policy to reassure our established, new and potential travel markets that Namibia remains open and easily accessible for travellers across the globe.”
Approved by government in May last year, the controversial policy change will introduce a visa-on-arrival requirement for 31 previously visa-exempt countries, including all of Namibia’s top overseas source markets.
