Namibian tourism industry still doing well

DESPITE the international economic crisis, Namibia’s tourism sector is still doing well so far, according to the Managing Director of Gondwana Canon Park, Mannfred Goldbeck.

Goldbeck said a decrease of between 10 and15 per cent in tourist arrivals this year was offset by an increase in visits last year. This, he said, has resulted in no job losses in the tourism industry.
However, he was quick to say that a slow recovery from the global recession could lead to another drop in tourist arrivals.
‘This will definitely result in few job losses,’ Goldbeck warned.
Between 350 000 and 400 000 tourists visit Namibia annually, said Goldbeck.
Goldbeck emphasised that it is of utmost importance to guarantee the safety of tourists.
‘South Africa is losing out on a number of tourists because of its image problem,’ he said.
Asked about the expected impact of next year’s Fifa World Cup in South Africa on the Namibian tourism sector, Goldbeck said it might actually lead to a slight drop in tourist arrivals.
‘People prefer to attend the world event in person, and this will slightly affect the numbers of visiting tourists,’ he said.
Goldbeck also said that the reintroduction of game in the Gondwana Canon Park in the South is well on track.
He said gemsbok, wildebeest and hartebeest bought from other semi-arid areas have been successfully reintroduced in the park and internal fences have been removed to ensure free movement for the animals.
luqman@namibian.com.na