Niël Terblanché
Alex Shimuafeni, Statistician General, Namibia Statistics Agency announce the release of the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) for the year 2022, marking a pivotal moment for the country’s tourism sector.
He said the comprehensive report, a product of collaboration between various government institutions and stakeholders within the tourism industry, highlights the direct economic impact of tourism on Namibia’s economy.
The TSA, following internationally recognized methodologies by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, aligns with the System of National Accounts compilation methodology, offering a detailed analysis of tourism-related production and its integration across different economic sectors.
The report aims to quantify the direct economic contribution of tourism to Namibia, establishing it as the definitive source for understanding tourism’s role in the national economy.
Key findings from the 2022 TSA reveal that tourism activities contributed to 6.9 percent of Namibia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), translating to an estimated N$14.3 billion in monetary terms.
This significant contribution underscores the importance of the tourism sector as a major economic driver for the country.
Employment within the tourism sector is another highlight of the report, with 57,571 direct jobs attributed to the industry.
“The account demonstrates tourism’s role as a notable employer within the Namibian economy, providing vital employment opportunities for many Namibians,” Shimuafeni said.
Investment in tourism, as measured by the Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF), was estimated at N$401 million, accounting for 1.3 percent of the total GFCF in 2022.
This investment reflects the sector’s commitment to growth and development within the national economic landscape.
Furthermore, the report examines tourism collective consumption, estimating it at N$447 million for the 2021/22 financial year.
This represents a 1.7 percent direct contribution of tourism to national collective consumption, highlighting the government’s role in providing tourism goods and services.
The successful compilation of the TSA 2022 report was made possible through the support of numerous stakeholders, including the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and UN Namibia. Special thanks are extended to the technical working committee responsible for producing this insightful report.
Shimuafeni aid the TSA 2022 not only offers a snapshot of the current state of tourism in Namibia but also provides a roadmap for future growth and development in this vital sector.
