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The tourism sector in Namibia is worth far more to the African nation than initially thought, new figures reveal.

A new report, Namibia: The Impact of Travel & Tourism on Jobs and the Economy, claims that tourism contributes 16% of the country's annual gross domestic product (GDP) and employs 18% of the working population.

Launched in the capital, Windhoek, the report for the Namibian Tourism Board states that tourism contributes double the amount to the Namibian economy than initially thought, according to Engineering News.

The tourism sector in Namibia is predicted to grow annually by 7.9% over the next decade, as more people discover the country's unspoilt landscapes, bringing its total contribution to GDP to 23% and on a par with mining and fishing.

With a total population of just over 2 million people in an area covering 825,418 sq km, Namibia is home to vast expanses of untouched land that attract thousands of people each year, particularly for safari tours. The nation is the 13th fastest growing tourist destination in the world, but much of its operations remain dominated by the minority white population.

The tourism sector is attempting to increase participation rates in order to attract more government finance and boost local infrastructure. A black economic empowerment charter has been introduced, but just 3% of government expenditure currently goes on the tourism industry.

Located just north of South Africa, Namibia nestles between the South Atlantic ad the Kalahari Desert, offering travellers a range of different terrains and rich natural parks teeming with exotic wildlife.


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