The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) has issued a stern warning to unregistered accommodation providers operating through platforms like Airbnb, emphasizing the need for compliance with the Namibia Tourism Board Act of 2000.
The NTB highlighted that Section 20 of the Act requires anyone intending to operate an accommodation establishment to register with the board before offering services.
“Hosting paying guests without registration is unlawful and punishable by law,” the NTB stated.
Citing Section 19 of the Act, the board warned that non-compliance could result in severe penalties.
“Any person who provides accommodation to tourists in an unregistered establishment commits an offense and is liable to a fine not exceeding N$20,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both,” the NTB said.
To ensure adherence, the NTB has set a deadline of April 30, 2025, for all unregistered operators to comply.
“All individuals offering accommodation through platforms such as Airbnb are kindly requested to ensure compliance with Namibian law by registering their establishments with the Namibia Tourism Board no later than April 30, 2025,” the tourism sector regulator added.
The NTB explained that this enforcement is part of its broader efforts to maintain a regulated, accountable, and standardized tourism sector in Namibia.
The announcement comes as the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) reports a rise in Namibians opting for informal accommodation options like Airbnb.
This trend is attributed to economic pressures that have limited domestic travel, with Namibians accounting for less than 20% of the tourism sector’s guests in 2024.
