Tourism numbers break records
Gondwana surpasses positive estimates
The Gondwana Collection, one of the largest collections of accommodation establishments in Namibia, has experienced its best monthly occupancy for August since its inception 20 years ago.
The Gondwana Collection consists of 14 lodges throughout the country and a hotel in Swakopmund.
“The bed occupancy for August reached a surprising 78.56%. This is a number we have never reached before. The numbers have increased with nearly 10% when comparing it to the August statistics of the past five years, and the coming months are looking very promising,” reservations manager Leez Hövelmann said in a statement.
According to the statement over the past month Gondwana properties received more guests than expected and surpassed already optimistic forecasts.
Previous records were smashed with Etosha Safari Camp reaching 99% occupancy, followed by Namib Desert Lodge with 88% occupancy and the Canyon Lodge and Namushasha River Lodge each with 83% occupancy.
According to Gondwana Collection’s Financial Director Jaco Visser there has been a steady increase in tourist numbers since the beginning of this year
He said through the combination of the demand from tourists and tour operators and the effective coordination of their reservations system they managed to achieve this excellent occupancy.
Gondwana’s managing director, Mannfred Goldbeck, also added that the stars are currently smiling down on tourism.
“Namibia is considered as a safe travel destination thanks to its political stability and good infrastructure. Then you add the good marketing strategy the Namibia Tourism Board in Frankfurt has in place, the weak rand, and of course the new airlines that fly to our country.”
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism also recently announced that a new record number of more than 1.5 million people arrived in Namibia in 2015, representing a 3% increase from 2014 when 1.4 million arrivals were recorded.
Out of the total foreign arrivals recorded, the largest number of 1.38 million were tourists, 15 580 were returning residents and 99 883 were same-day visitors.
The report indicated that the tourism sector is healthy and has shown growth.
ELLANIE SMIT
The Gondwana Collection consists of 14 lodges throughout the country and a hotel in Swakopmund.
“The bed occupancy for August reached a surprising 78.56%. This is a number we have never reached before. The numbers have increased with nearly 10% when comparing it to the August statistics of the past five years, and the coming months are looking very promising,” reservations manager Leez Hövelmann said in a statement.
According to the statement over the past month Gondwana properties received more guests than expected and surpassed already optimistic forecasts.
Previous records were smashed with Etosha Safari Camp reaching 99% occupancy, followed by Namib Desert Lodge with 88% occupancy and the Canyon Lodge and Namushasha River Lodge each with 83% occupancy.
According to Gondwana Collection’s Financial Director Jaco Visser there has been a steady increase in tourist numbers since the beginning of this year
He said through the combination of the demand from tourists and tour operators and the effective coordination of their reservations system they managed to achieve this excellent occupancy.
Gondwana’s managing director, Mannfred Goldbeck, also added that the stars are currently smiling down on tourism.
“Namibia is considered as a safe travel destination thanks to its political stability and good infrastructure. Then you add the good marketing strategy the Namibia Tourism Board in Frankfurt has in place, the weak rand, and of course the new airlines that fly to our country.”
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism also recently announced that a new record number of more than 1.5 million people arrived in Namibia in 2015, representing a 3% increase from 2014 when 1.4 million arrivals were recorded.
Out of the total foreign arrivals recorded, the largest number of 1.38 million were tourists, 15 580 were returning residents and 99 883 were same-day visitors.
The report indicated that the tourism sector is healthy and has shown growth.
ELLANIE SMIT
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article