O&L Leisure has finalised the acquisition of two Namibian tourism properties, Le Mirage in the Sossusvlei area and Divava on the Okavango River, with all eligible employees receiving offers of employment as part of the transition.
The deal, announced in June, was subject to approval by the Namibian Competition Commission.
“This acquisition complements our offering of showcasing Namibia through our eyes with the addition of the Okavango Popa Falls as well as the Sossusvlei environment. The handover was extremely smooth with the on-boarding of the people and each one was welcomed individually to our family. We look forward to an exciting future and the exceptional experiences we can offer our guests from around the world as they discover Namibia’s unique beauty,” said Sven Thieme, Managing Director of O&L Leisure and Executive Chairman of the O&L Group.
“We are incredibly excited about welcoming our new team members to the O&L family.”
Thieme said the human aspect of the transaction was particularly significant.
“In remote locations like Sossusvlei and the Okavango River, where alternative employment opportunities are scarce, O&L Leisure’s commitment to job retention transforms what could have been an uncertain transition into a celebration of continuity and growth, while strengthening our commitment to Authentic, Caring and Passionate hospitality.”
The leisure company said both properties will retain their current leadership structures, with Karel Urjon continuing as General Manager at Divava and William Danster remaining at Le Mirage. All employees were assessed based on their current roles and offered positions aligned with their experience.
O&L Leisure said employees at both properties have expressed enthusiasm about joining a Namibian-owned company, with the transition prioritising minimal job losses and potential new employment opportunities as strategic plans are finalised.
This comes after Ohlthaver & List (O&L) told The Brief in July that it plans to continue acquiring tourism and hospitality assets in Namibia as part of a long-term strategy to expand its footprint in the sector. The group confirmed that both its current and future acquisitions are part of a focused drive to create a network of high-quality destinations, each offering guests what it describes as “authentic Namibian experiences with world-class hospitality standards.”
Namibia’s tourism sector currently generates 57,571 direct jobs, representing 7.9% of total employment, while supporting more than 100,000 Namibians overall, many from rural communities. As the country’s fastest-growing economic sector, tourism is projected to generate N$4.6 billion in 2025, underpinned by a 5.5% growth rate and a 7.3% increase in visitor numbers.
