Cruise Tourism Worth Over N$14 Billion: Namibia Emerging as Africa’s Next Hotspot
Namibia is being tipped as one of the next big destinations for global cruise tourism, with Walvis Bay and Lüderitz fast becoming attractive stopovers for international cruise liners.
A new company, African Cruise Service, recently set up its first regional office in Walvis Bay, signalling growing interest from international investors. The firm is linked to NaviaAsia, which has been investing in cruise tourism operations for the past four years and is now targeting the Namibian coast as a key gateway.
Namibia’s long Atlantic coastline, unique desert-meets-ocean scenery, and rich cultural heritage are seen as major drawcards. Cruise passengers often spend on tours, local markets, restaurants, and excursions, creating opportunities for small businesses and boosting the hospitality sector.
Globally, the cruise tourism industry is strong and growing: in 2023, cruise tourism generated around US$168.6 billion in global economic impact, supporting 1.6 million jobs and paying out nearly US$57 billion in wages.
Meanwhile, in Namibia, the broader tourism sector already contributes significantly: tourism accounted for 6.9% of the country’s GDP in 2022, valued at about N$14.3 billion.
Namibia’s Ports Authority (Namport) has already been upgrading facilities at Walvis Bay to handle bigger vessels, while Lüderitz has seen steady growth in cruise arrivals in recent years. Local tourism operators say this could translate into thousands of extra jobs if managed properly.
For Namibia, the challenge will be to balance growth with sustainability, ensuring that communities directly benefit from this new wave of visitors.
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44 days agoCruise Tourism Worth Over N$14 Billion: Namibia Emerging as Africa’s Next Hotspot
Namibia is being tipped as one of the next big destinations for global cruise tourism, with Walvis Bay and Lüderitz fast becoming attractive stopovers for international cruise liners.
A new company, African Cruise Service, recently set up its first regional office in Walvis Bay, signalling growing interest from international investors. The firm is linked to NaviaAsia, which has been investing in cruise tourism operations for the past four years and is now targeting the Namibian coast as a key gateway.
Namibia’s long Atlantic coastline, unique desert-meets-ocean scenery, and rich cultural heritage are seen as major drawcards. Cruise passengers often spend on tours, local markets, restaurants, and excursions, creating opportunities for small businesses and boosting the hospitality sector.
Globally, the cruise tourism industry is strong and growing: in 2023, cruise tourism generated around US$168.6 billion in global economic impact, supporting 1.6 million jobs and paying out nearly US$57 billion in wages.
Meanwhile, in Namibia, the broader tourism sector already contributes significantly: tourism accounted for 6.9% of the country’s GDP in 2022, valued at about N$14.3 billion.
Namibia’s Ports Authority (Namport) has already been upgrading facilities at Walvis Bay to handle bigger vessels, while Lüderitz has seen steady growth in cruise arrivals in recent years. Local tourism operators say this could translate into thousands of extra jobs if managed properly.
For Namibia, the challenge will be to balance growth with sustainability, ensuring that communities directly benefit from this new wave of visitors.