Tourism in Erongo is showing signs of positive recovery, with most hotel establishments reaching an occupancy rate of 59,36 in the fourth quarter of last year, compared to 50,1 percent in 2019.
 
This was highlighted by Governor Neville Andre during the Erongo Tourism Forums media briefing with stakeholders.   

The region's tourism sector is well on its way to recovery after it was severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Andre, says the region and towns such as Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay have attracted a large number of local, regional and international visitors in 2022.
 
This can be attributed to increased collaboration among industry stakeholders and the alignment of strategies outlined in the Namibia tourism sector recovery plan and other supporting documents.
 
Based on the statistics from the accommodation establishments and especially on the beds sold, the Erongo Region recorded an occupancy rate of 59.36 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to 50.01 percent in 2019.

Erongo Region is abundantly endowed and blessed with natural tourist attractions such as Dune 7, Sandwich Harbour, Welwitschia Plains, clean, beautiful and long Atlantic coastline and the Namib Desert, Cape Cross Seal Reserve, Dead sea and the wider Skeleton coastline amongst others are among the most visited tourist sites in Namibia. 

Andre said the region continues to embrace tourism as one of the sectors that have the capacity to fast-track economic development, create employment opportunities, and at the same time contribute to poverty alleviation amongst vulnerable communities.

The challenge remains that significant economic and or tourist activities are mostly concentrated in a few towns like Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Henties Bay.

Therefore, he says there is a need to spread tourism and its economic benefits to these smaller towns and rural areas in the region.