Namibia’s luxury and high-end accommodation establishments recorded brisk business during the third quarter of 2026, with tented lodges achieving an occupancy rate of 83.71%, according to the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN).
The strong performance comes despite concerns over a possible decline in overall tourist arrivals, as demand for premium accommodation and experience-based tourism continues to support the hospitality industry.
HAN’s latest statistics show that bed-and-breakfast establishments recorded occupancy of 77.13%, followed by rest camps at 73.56%, while self-catering establishments recorded the lowest occupancy rate at 12.19%.
National room occupancy reached 66.49% between July and September 2026, increasing by more than one percentage point compared with the same period last year and two percentage points above the corresponding period in 2019.
“The 2026 tourism accommodation figures reveal that while overall arrival numbers of travellers to Namibia may be declining, occupancies in the more luxury and high-end establishments are stable and even growing,” HAN said.
The figures, compiled from 122 accommodation establishments, show that 162,931 of the 245,057 available room nights were sold during the quarter, while national bed occupancy stood at 58.86%.
Northern Namibia recorded the highest regional occupancy rate at 71.44%, followed by the coastal region at 66.89%, central Namibia at 63.25% and southern Namibia at 61.04%.
Leisure tourism remained the main driver of accommodation demand, accounting for 96.24% of occupancy, compared with 2.91% for business travel and 0.85% for conferences.
HAN attributed the strong performance of high-end establishments partly to changing tourist preferences, with visitors increasingly seeking authentic experiences, interaction with local communities and conservation-related activities.
The association said tourists were placing greater emphasis on experiences offered by accommodation establishments rather than luxury facilities alone.
It noted that the trend presented opportunities for tourism operators to attract visitors through nature-based activities and community tourism initiatives.
HAN called for stronger public-private partnerships and a coordinated national tourism marketing strategy to attract more international visitors and sustain growth in the sector.
The association said tourism continued to play an important role in job creation, community development and conservation financing.
