European markets account for nearly two-thirds of accommodation demand

CHAMWE KAIRA

Namibia’s accommodation sector remained heavily dependent on international leisure travel in August 2026, with leisure travellers accounting for 95.17% of all arrivals, according to the latest Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) data.

The August share increased from 94.30% in August 2025 and was 7.77 percentage points above the 87.40% recorded in August 2019.

A total of 102 749 beds were sold across 93 properties during the month, with the DACH market – Germany, Austria and Switzerland – remaining the largest source market at 32.22% of beds sold, according to an analysis of the figures by Simonis Storm.

Although the DACH share was marginally lower than the 32.52% recorded in August 2025, it remained above the 30.23% recorded in August 2019.

Italy was the second-largest European source market, accounting for 13.44% of beds sold, followed by France at 11.05% and Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg (Benelux) at 6.15%.

Combined, the four major continental European markets – DACH, Italy, France and Benelux – accounted for 62.86% of beds sold in August 2026. This was up from 62.02% in August 2025 and significantly above the 51.07% recorded in August 2019.

Italy’s share was almost double its August 2019 level of 7.71%, although it declined from 14.53% in August 2025.

France recorded a stronger performance, increasing its share from 9.34% in August 2025 to 11.05% in August 2026, while Benelux increased from 5.63% to 6.15%.

The UK and Ireland market declined to 3.33% from 4.29%, while visitors from the United States and Canada accounted for 3.42%, down from 3.87% in August 2025.

Domestic travellers accounted for 13.30% of beds sold, an increase from 10.99% a year earlier. However, the August 2026 share remained well below the 24.03% recorded in August 2019.

HAN data indicates that the gap between international and domestic demand has persisted during peak-season months.

August is traditionally Namibia’s peak tourism period, supported by the dry-season safari calendar and increased wildlife concentrations around waterholes, as well as the northern-hemisphere summer holiday period that supports European travel to Namibia.

Domestic demand during August is also supported by weddings and family celebrations, particularly in northern Namibia.

The combination of international and domestic demand contributed to stronger accommodation performance in the Northern Region during August.

National room occupancy reached 69.53% in August 2026, narrowly below the 70% mark and 2.35 percentage points above the 67.18% recorded in August 2019.

The data shows continued strong reliance on continental European leisure markets, with the DACH, Italy, France and Benelux markets together accounting for nearly two-thirds of beds sold.