The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has begun the validation of Namibia’s National Tourism Spatial Development Master Plan, a framework intended to guide tourism growth across all 14 regions with an emphasis on sustainability, inclusivity and investment.
At the validation workshop in Swakopmund on Tuesday (16 September), officials presented the outcomes of three months of stakeholder consultations. The plan, covering 2025 to 2030, aims to expand direct tourism employment from 57 000 to 80 000 jobs, diversify tourism products, and decentralise visitor flows away from high-pressure destinations such as Etosha and Sossusvlei. “Tourism is a driver of this economy, but we operate in a very fragile environment. We must strategically manage our resources so that development is socially equitable, economically inclusive, and environmentally sustainable," said lead consultant Joseph Okori of Afri Enviro. He added that the plan is designed as an adaptive three-year rolling strategy with annual monitoring and evaluation, unlike previous five-year policies which were only assessed at the end of their cycle.
The master plan identifies new opportunities in cultural tourism, eco-tourism, sports, wellness retreats, gastronomy and cruise tourism. It also calls for improved infrastructure, including air and rail connectivity, to make travel more affordable and accessible. “Infrastructure is one of the backbones of development. It is not just about building it, but how it links to hotspots and areas of interest,” Okori said.
Community benefits and accountability were a strong theme. Stakeholders from conservancies raised concerns about limited revenue distribution despite generating more than N$114 million in 2023. The plan recommends a “strategic rethink” of the community-based natural resource management model to improve transparency and ensure communities become active economic participants. Youth employment is another priority. With 71% of Namibia’s population under 35, the plan calls for entrepreneurship support, internships, and skills alignment with industry demand. “Namibia’s youth should be a dynamic, skilled, and entrepreneurial workforce,” Okori said.
Stakeholders also questioned gaps in transport, road quality, and meeting announcements. One participant said: “Tourists are not coming to Etosha because of the roads. These are urgent matters that need attention.” The plan, a 500-page document compiled from workshops, surveys, literature reviews, and over 500 data points, will be finalised after validation. It is designed to align with Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan and Vision 2030, while positioning the country competitively within the SADC tourism market.
At the validation workshop in Swakopmund on Tuesday (16 September), officials presented the outcomes of three months of stakeholder consultations. The plan, covering 2025 to 2030, aims to expand direct tourism employment from 57 000 to 80 000 jobs, diversify tourism products, and decentralise visitor flows away from high-pressure destinations such as Etosha and Sossusvlei. “Tourism is a driver of this economy, but we operate in a very fragile environment. We must strategically manage our resources so that development is socially equitable, economically inclusive, and environmentally sustainable," said lead consultant Joseph Okori of Afri Enviro. He added that the plan is designed as an adaptive three-year rolling strategy with annual monitoring and evaluation, unlike previous five-year policies which were only assessed at the end of their cycle.
The master plan identifies new opportunities in cultural tourism, eco-tourism, sports, wellness retreats, gastronomy and cruise tourism. It also calls for improved infrastructure, including air and rail connectivity, to make travel more affordable and accessible. “Infrastructure is one of the backbones of development. It is not just about building it, but how it links to hotspots and areas of interest,” Okori said.
Community benefits and accountability were a strong theme. Stakeholders from conservancies raised concerns about limited revenue distribution despite generating more than N$114 million in 2023. The plan recommends a “strategic rethink” of the community-based natural resource management model to improve transparency and ensure communities become active economic participants. Youth employment is another priority. With 71% of Namibia’s population under 35, the plan calls for entrepreneurship support, internships, and skills alignment with industry demand. “Namibia’s youth should be a dynamic, skilled, and entrepreneurial workforce,” Okori said.
Stakeholders also questioned gaps in transport, road quality, and meeting announcements. One participant said: “Tourists are not coming to Etosha because of the roads. These are urgent matters that need attention.” The plan, a 500-page document compiled from workshops, surveys, literature reviews, and over 500 data points, will be finalised after validation. It is designed to align with Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan and Vision 2030, while positioning the country competitively within the SADC tourism market.
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