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July 2026
The Namibian
Gitta Paetzoldsaysthe association has no mandate to regulate pricing among its members
Source
“Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) chief executive Gitta Paetzold says the association has no mandate to regulate pricing among its members, arguing that demand and supply of goods determine what consumers ultimately pay in the hospitality sector.”
Gitta Paetzoldtoldtourists often feedback that city lacks events and museums lack proper storytelling
Source
“Paetzold told The Namibian last week that the feedback the association often gets from tourists is that the city does not have events, and the stories around existing museums and historical buildings are not properly told.”
Chief executive of the Hospitality Association of Namibia Gitta Paetzoldsaid the tourism industry regularly fills up on fuel withfuel containers at service stations
Source
“She said the tourism industry regularly fills up on fuel with fuel containers at service stations and then transports the fuel to the remote areas where the industry operates.”
Gitta Paetzoldnotesoverall room occupancy for Q4 2025 decreased by 2.5%
Source
“The CEO of the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN), Gitta Paetzold, notes that the latest tourism numbers show that the overall room occupancy for the fourth quarter of 2025 decreased by 2.5%.”
Gitta PaetzoldurgedMinistry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and Namibia Tourism Board to ensure alignment with national tourism spatial master plan
Source
“She further urged both the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and the Namibia Tourism Board to ensure that all entities align with the national tourism spatial master plan.”
The Hospitality Association of Namibia says hotels set their own prices under free-market principles, following public complaints about beverage costs—with Appletisers ranging from N$60 to N$70 at some establishments. The association argues that demand and supply determine pricing, and that hotel prices reflect additional operational costs beyond supermarket shelf prices.
The Hospitality Association of Namibia says hotels set their own prices under free-market principles, following public complaints about beverage costs—with Appletisers ranging from N$60 to N$70 at some establishments. The association argues that demand and supply determine pricing, and that hotel prices reflect additional operational costs beyond supermarket shelf prices.
The Hospitality Association of Namibia says tourists find Windhoek lacks sufficient attractions and events, with feedback that museums and historical buildings are not properly promoted. While the city serves as a gateway to Namibia's tourism destinations, urban tourism remains limited to historic landmarks and township experiences.
German tourist arrivals to Namibia in 2025 fell compared to the previous year, potentially due to a visa policy introduced last April that ended visa-free travel for European countries. The number of European visitors dropped from 266,000 in 2024 to 210,000 in 2025, though the Hospitality Association of Namibia notes the industry has not seen a similar decline in source markets.
The minister of industries, mines and energy said he would clarify a directive issued Thursday that banned service stations from selling fuel in jerry cans or oil drums, after stakeholders in farming and tourism raised concerns. The ministry said the aim was to prevent panic buying, not to prevent legitimate purchases, though the Fuel and Franchise Association noted most Namibian farmers lack the consumer installation certificates required under the directive's exemption.
Namibia's aircraft operators say restrictive visa and work permit processes are constraining pilot availability, threatening aviation safety and tourism. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association notes that Namibia's pilot pool is exhausted, with only 2% of recent pilot job applicants being Namibian nationals, and calls for the Home Affairs ministry to expedite work permits for qualified foreign commercial pilots and flight instructors.
Namibia recorded 1.26 million international tourist arrivals in 2024, a 45.5% increase from 2023, with the high-end sector experiencing robust recovery driven by demand for eco-conscious, low-density experiences in destinations like Etosha, Sossusvlei, and emerging remote areas. The sector is projected to generate N$4.6 billion in 2025 with continued growth expected from improved air connectivity and diversified marketing strategies.
Hotel room occupancy in Namibia for the fourth quarter of 2025 dropped 2.5% to 51.99% annually, according to the Hospitality Association of Namibia. While European tourists increased, particularly from D.A.CH countries, the sector faces challenges from high pricing and potential new levies.