Namibia says about 24 000 tourists visited the southern African country since the launch of its International Tourism Revival Initiative last September.
Xinhua quoted deputy tourism minister Heather Sibungo as saying that Namibia registered an 87% decline in international tourist arrivals in 2020 and a loss of over 1,000 jobs.
“Tourism is a socio-economic pillar for Namibia and therefore collective efforts are necessary for us to find solutions and map the way forward to safeguard the future of tourism amid and post COVID-19,” Sibungo was quoted as saying.
“The tourism task force continues to engage strategic stakeholders for relevant interventions as and when required.”
Bank of Namibia projected earlier this year that the country's hotels and restaurants sector is projected to recover to growth rates of 3.2% and 6.4% in 2021 and 2022, respectively, from a contraction of 55% in 2020.
The recovery in the tourism sector will happen once the health crisis is averted and it will be gradual as travellers build confidence regarding their safety when travelling.
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