By Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK – The number of Namibians holidaying at Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR)’s national parks and holiday camps continues to soar, which, NWR told New Era, is an indication that “the perception that used to exist within the market that NWR resorts are expensive is beginning to change.”
Most of NWR camps and resorts throughout the country were full in the days between December 16 and 31, 2014. “NWR cannot hide its excitement at the rate Namibians explored our camps and resorts throughout the country [during the holiday season],” says Mufaro Nesongano, NWR Corporate Communications and Online Media Manager.
“With the change in perception we are starting to see Namibians seeing the need to go on holiday in order to rest. This has tremendous significance on our business because we are slowly moving away from being solely dependent on international tourists to support it but Namibians are now playing their part thereby ensuring the long-term sustainability of our establishments,” he says.
Even though the December 2014 numbers of visitors to the camps and resorts were slightly lower than those of 2013, NWR says they remain high compared to previous years.
There were 2 649 Namibian visitors at NWR camps and resorts in December last year, compared to the 3 258 visitors recorded in December 2013.
However, NWR says the other indication of Namibians’ change in perceptions towards NWR is the volumes of people buying the NamLeisure cards. The state-owned resort company sold over 2 140 cards in 2014, which is more compared to the cards sold in 2013, “which shows us that the card is truly popular among our travellers,” and “which could mean that they intend to travel more during 2015.”
NWR was especially impressed with the level at which the newly renovated Gross Barmen Resort was visited by day visitors and overnighters. “It was humbling considering that the resort had opened just two weeks prior to mid-December 2014,” says Nesongano.
“NWR also realised that the introduction of the NamLeisure card, which entitles cardholders to a 50 percent discount, played a huge role in ensuring more people got to see the camps and resorts,” says Nesongano.
NWR is now banking on those who are only taking their annual leave in the coming months, to push up the numbers of visitors to its resorts and camps.