Page 20 - Gondwana Collection Namibia Value Creation Report 2021

ABOUT GONDWANA

OUR YEAR

IN REVIEW

The local tourism industry continues to be
shaped by Covid-19. We saw some signs
Our 17 Our year in review of recovery in a period marred by travel

restrictions, traveller apprehension and

uncertainty.
22 Market trends in 2021
Market 24 The Gondwana experience 2021 was the second year operating amid the tough conditions caused by According to the United Nation’s

the pandemic. Gondwana survived and protected the livelihoods of its
people, communities and iconic brand.
in 2021 26 Namibia delights accommodation establishments reporting occupancies Tourism Organization does not have an estimate for
Occupancy levels remained low with the majority of
World Tourism Organization, Covid-19 will
of between 20% and 40%. According to the Hospitality
cost the global tourism sector $2 trillion (N$32.3
Association of Namibia, 2021’s second quarter revealed a
trillion) in lost revenue in 2021. The global tourism
national average occupancy of just over 23%, compared to
sector lost $2 trillion in revenues in 2020, making
almost 54% in 2019, pre-Covid.
it one of the hardest-hit sectors. While the World
By mid May 2021, Namibia faced a devasting third wave.
global tourism in 2022, its medium-term outlook is not
President Geingob implemented amended Covid-19
regulations, including restrictions on travel between regions
and we continue to be affected by new Covid-19 variants,
of the country in June 2021. Unfortunately, this wave came encouraging. Vaccination rates worldwide remain uneven,
as we were preparing for our high season, starting from July, such as Omicron. Before the pandemic, the tourism
flattening our previous revenue gains. sector accounted for about 10% of the world’s gross
domestic product and jobs. In Namibia, tourism,
Despite losing three active tourism business months (May, July directly and indirectly, employed 120 000
and August), the prospects for the local tourism industry remain people, which is hugely impactful in a
hopeful. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, small economy.
together with the private sector, is working to revitalise the industry
through proactive marketing, attracting new markets and introducing
relevant policy interventions. In 2021, the Ministry launched a domestic
tourism campaign and provided an opportunity for local travellers to capitalise
on the generous travel incentives offered by tourism players.
Covid-19 and the decline of the global airline industry have dramatically cut the number of flights into
Namibia. We need to attract more international airlines from key destinations and connection hubs to service
Namibia with regular flight schedules.

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