First National Bank and the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations (FENATA) launched the FNB Tourism Index at the Namibia Tourism Expo which took place from June 6-9, according to a report by allafrica.com.

The intention of the index is to provide information that could help individual businesses understand the current climate in which the tourism sector operates, while at the same time enabling them to plan for the future.

Sophia Snyman, Head of FNB’s Tourism Division, said the bank, as a partner of the tourism industry, had realised that reliable and regular up-to-date information pertaining to the industry's performance was not frequently available, which hampered proper planning of tourism businesses' future.

She said broad participation from Namibian tourism businesses was critical to take this initiative to the next level. “The next round of the survey is taking place in July. We hope to, with your help, be able to issue the FNB Tourism Index on a two-monthly basis, which means the information will always be factual, accurate and timely.”

Mannie Goldbeck, a member of FENATA's Board and Statistics sub-committee, said: "The statistics and opinions collected from the broader tourism sector resulted in the industry picking up on changing trends in the way people travel.”

Goldbeck said while accommodation statistics during the past year still showed a decline, despite a slight rise in arrival figures, a survey among the wider tourism sector through the FNB Tourism Index had revealed that more travellers to Namibia were opting for self-drive and rooftop-tent accommodation.