Economic growth fuels Namibian outbound travel
DOMESTIC tourism has
shown signs of growth in
recent years. According
to research by Namibia
Wildlife Resorts, Namibian
tourists are increasingly
interested in visiting their own
country, with wildlife, hunting
and safari trips being the
most popular options.
Robyn Christie, gm of
Travelport South Africa,
says Namibian travellers
also regularly visit nearby
countries, and most of the
outbound trips are to South
Africa and Botswana.
She adds that travel
industry players in Namibia
are keenly affected by the
outbound market, which is
not often reported on. “In
Travelport’s discussions
with our customers, the
market is clearly defined
by business travel, with the
percentage ratio estimated to
be about 80% business and
20% leisure,” says Robyn.
“Johannesburg is used as
a point of connection for
business travel, but with
the increasing number of
international airlines flying
into Windhoek, travellers have
a wider choice,” she adds.
In terms of leisure travel,
Namibia’s large German
population regularly returns
to Germany to visit friends
and relatives. “Indian Ocean
island holidays are also a
firm favourite, with packaged
holidays to Mauritius very
sought after, but we must
not underestimate the
attraction of the Western
Cape. Namibians love good
food and have a great interest
in sampling the fruits of
our vines in the Cape wine
region,” says Robyn.
Travelport heads to Windhoek
FOR the fifth time, Travelport
will host a Namibia workshop,
taking place in Windhoek
with over 100 consultants
expected to participate.
Travelport says this is
an ideal opportunity for
consultants to hear about
new developments and
enhancements to Smartpoint,
and to learn more about
what Travelport is doing for
Namibia’s travel industry.
“Tactically, we also
appreciate that the suppliers
who make their content
available within the Travelport
Commerce Platform are also
invited to participate, says
Robyn Christie of Travelport.
“With the increasing
popularity of this event, we
are seeing the airlines, hotels
and car-rental companies
booking their spaces months
in advance, and with the
same enthusiasm, we are
also seeing many destination
management organisations
participating.
“The owners and managers
of TMCs view this event as
a very important training
initiative that they encourage
their consultants to
attend. Over the years, the
participating suppliers have
offered a number of very nice
prizes, which always cause
much excitement when they
are awarded at the cocktail
event on the final evening,”
she adds.
The workshop will also
include a round-table lunch
discussion for Travelport
customers who own or
manage agencies, and eNett
will present its payment
solution during this session.
“In addition to this annual
event, we are very proud to
add that Travelport is unique
in that we provide local
support to our customers.
“Heike Schultz is the
business development
manager who lives in
Windhoek and covers the
entire Namibian territory
and, with her industry
experience and knowledge
of the market, our customers
are well maintained,” says
Robyn.
“Heike is supported by our
operational and technical
support teams in South
Africa and receives direction
from the much-respected
gentleman of travel, Clive
Heighway.”
The challenges and opportunities
Despite being a country
with good economic
potential, Namibia
has a high level of
unemployment which has
had a negative impact
on outbound travel.
Additionally, says Robyn,
business travel can be
impacted by water scarcity,
due to its effect on the
agricultural industry in
Namibia, while the lack of
a specialised workforce
also poses a problem to
the Namibian economy.
On the other hand,
foreign investment is
likely to fuel both inbound
and outbound flows to
Namibia. “The presence
of multinational players
will stimulate leisure as
well as business flows,
while the presence of new
enterprises operating in
the country will promote
employment,” adds Robyn.
“This fact is foreseen
to stimulate Namibian
consumers’ purchasing
power and consequently
their predisposition to
travel abroad more.”
Air Namibia adds capacity to Durban
AIR Namibia has upgraded
its Windhoek-GaboroneDurban
route from a 37-seat
ERJ-135 to a 112-seat
A319-100.
Six months after
introducing the route, Air
Namibia reports that it has
been performing well and
plans to expand the route.
“This development is a
strategic move in the right
direction because it reflects
growth and sustainability.
The increment in capacity
for the two destinations will
meet the growing demand
for passengers flying with Air
Namibia,” said the airline.
Air Namibia operates
the Windhoek-GaboroneDurban
route on Mondays,
Wednesdays, Fridays and
Sundays. The carrier has
fifth freedom rights between
Durban and Gaborone.
Did you know?
The direct contribution of travel and tourism to GDP is expected to have
grown by 5,4% to N$4,77m in 2016 and by 8,3% to N$10,57m by
2026. This primarily reflects the economic activity from industries such as
hotels, travel agents, airlines and passenger transportation services.
