Namibia’s hospitality industry showed strong signs of recovery in March 2025 as the Rooms Occupancy Rate Index surged by 41.7%, on a monthly basis, rebounding from a contraction of 14.9% in February.
According to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), however, on an annual basis, the index reflected a decline of 10.1%.
The NSA attributed the monthly recovery to increased room occupancy across all regions. The northern region led with a 47.9% increase, followed closely by the southern region at 47.1%. The central and coastal regions recorded increases of 44.6% and 14.9%, respectively.
“A total of 60,369 rooms were available nationwide in March, of which 26,725 rooms (44.3%) were sold. In contrast, only 15,546 rooms (31.2%) were sold out of 49,772 available in February,” said NSA.
In regional performance, the northern region recorded 25,644 available rooms in March 2025, up from 20,412 in February and 21,700 in March 2024.
“The region sold 10,584 rooms, a significant increase from 5,698 in February and 9,938 in March the previous year,” said NSA.
In the southern region, 19,962 rooms were available, with 9,584 sold, leaving a surplus of 10,378 unsold rooms during the reporting period.
Meanwhile, accommodation types also saw notable increases in occupancy rates as Guest houses recorded a 56.1% occupancy rate in March, up from 36.6% in February.
“Hotels followed with an increase to 47.9% from 42.1%. Lodges saw occupancy improve to 42.4%, up from 27.1%, while tented lodges rose to 42.1% from 35.8%. Rest camps also reported gains, with occupancy rising to 36.7% from 12.2% in the previous month,” noted NSA.
The Bed Occupancy Rate Index reflected similar trends, registering a 38.7% increase in March, recovering from a 21.1% decline in February. Year-on-year, however, the index declined by 17.6%.
The central region recorded the highest growth in bed occupancy at 54.1%, followed by the southern region at 47.1%. The northern and coastal regions recorded increases of 36.0% and 17.4%, respectively.
“In total, 47,488 beds were sold out of 130,833 available in March, an improvement from 27,585 beds sold out of 105,439 available in February,” said the agency.
Regionally, the northern region reported 56,163 available beds in March, compared to 42,140 in February and 42,842 in March 2024.
The southern region followed with 44,369 beds available, up from 36,699 in February and 40,300 in March 2024. The coastal and central regions had 19,995 and 10,306 beds available, respectively.
“Across all accommodation types, bed occupancy increased compared to February. Guest houses led with 49.3%, followed by lodges at 39.2%, tented lodges at 36.2%, hotels at 33.0%, and rest camps at 20.0%,” said NSA.
