Hundreds of people witnessed the switching on of Christmas lights at Swakopmund, signaling the start of the festive season.

The municipality has invited both local and international tourists to visit Swakopmund and support all festivities as a way to revive the economy.

For about two years, COVID-19 adversely affected the socio-economic status of Namibia, and Swakopmund, which heavily relies on tourism, needed a plan to attract visitors and thereby revive its economy.

The municipality, according to Swakopmund Mayor Dina Namubes, decided to expand the annual Christmas Fair, which includes the switching on of Christmas lights.

"Swakopmund has become the most preferred holiday destination as visitors from all walks of life visit our town, especially during the December holidays. The influx of tourists has quite important benefits, especially for the tourism industry, as it advances our economy. We believe that the exhibitors trading from here will also receive the exposure that they need as well as generate some profits that can be reinvested into their businesses and the town as well."

This year the municipality decided to close down one of the streets in the Central Business District, or CBD, to accommodate the high number of local exhibitors who applied for stalls.

The annual Christmas fair is concurrent with the Nedbank Food Festival, which is also located in the same venue.