Tourism Market Update: Namibia’s international tourist arrivals fell by 3.2% in 2025 (to 1,217,108), with Germany down 27.4% after safety concerns made headlines—prompting a push to improve competitiveness. Hospitality Boost: May 2026 delivered the strongest hospitality performance on record, with national occupancy reaching 62.17% (up from 52.21% in May 2025), helped by earlier shoulder-season demand. Asian Growth: China is now Namibia’s top Asian source market, with 29,158 visitors in 2025; the Namibia Tourism Board is strengthening ties with Chinese tour operators to grow arrivals. Wildlife & Safety: Etosha completed controlled burns ahead of wildfire season to cut fuel loads and improve firebreaks, aiming to reduce intensity and spread. Cross-Border Travel: Cape Town, Zimbabwe and Namibia formalised a strategic partnership to boost regional tourism and make cross-border travel smoother. Money Matters for Travellers: Namibia’s repo rate rose by 25 basis points to 6.75%, a reminder that borrowing costs can shift quickly for home and vehicle owners. Air Connectivity: Spain launched a direct Madrid–Johannesburg route (Air Europa), restoring a key long-distance link that can benefit Namibia-bound travellers via Johannesburg. Service Excellence: Namibia launched a customer care and effective service delivery conference, stressing faster, barrier-free public services—good news for visitors and locals alike.