Tourismus Script
Intro….
Good Day, welcome to another edition of Tourismus, my name is (........), and I will be telling you more about our Topics, Destinations, and To the Point segments for today.
- Topics
1.1 Sossusvlei
The tourism ministry has strongly rejected allegations circulating on social media that officials at Sossusvlei extorted self-drive tourists, describing the claims as false, unverified and without any factual basis.
According to the executive director Sikongo Haihambo, preliminary internal investigations found that the anonymous post contains no verifiable information and was never reported to the ministry, park management or the police.
Haihambo said that the post also fails to provide essential details such as names, dates, vehicle registration numbers or any other information that could enable a proper investigation.
Attempts to identify and contact the complainant have also been unsuccessful, he said.
The post that was shared on Reddit warned any self-drivers in Sossusvlei that they fell victim to a coordinated blackmail trap setup by corrupt officials “on the deeper sand route coming out of Deadvlei.” Reddit is an American proprietary social news aggregation and forum social media platform.
It claimed that officials forced drivers to illegally drive off-road by blocking the road with a car and then extorting them to pay a fine.
Haihambo further stressed that Sossusvlei and Deadvlei are protected conservation areas where environmental laws are strictly enforced.
Between 1 and 27 June 2026, officials fined 17 offenders—16 foreign nationals and one Namibian—a combined N$33 840 for 22 violations of park regulations. These included off-road driving, unauthorised night driving, vehicle spinning and failing to comply with lawful instructions issued by park officials.
He said that individuals who are legitimately penalised for breaking park rules may attempt to retaliate by spreading false information to discredit enforcement officers.
1.2 Wilderness Namibia
Wilderness Namibia has injected billions of dollars into the country's economy over the past decade while helping protect vast conservation areas, creating rural jobs and investing in community development, according to its latest Impact Report
Wilderness Namibia’s latest Impact Report has highlighted the far-reaching economic, social and environmental impact of its conservation tourism model, revealing that the company has contributed more than N$2.5 billion to Namibia’s economy over the past 10 years.
According to Wilderness, operating seven camps across some of Namibia’s most iconic wilderness destinations, its long-term investment in conservation tourism continues to deliver measurable benefits for communities, government, local businesses and wildlife conservation.
The report showed that between 2016 and 2025, Wilderness Namibia paid more than N$301 million to the government, contributed N$72 million directly to neighbouring communities through concession agreements and partnerships, and paid over N$690 million in employee remuneration. During the same period, the company spent more than N$1.5 billion on goods and services sourced from Namibian suppliers, supporting businesses across the country.
1.3 NAPHA
Despite a slight decline in international tourist arrivals last year, Namibia's tourism sector remains a vital driver of conservation, rural development and economic growth, with the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) urging greater collaboration to build on positive trends identified in the latest Tourist Arrivals Statistics Report.
A decline in tourist arrivals and shorter visitor stays could be costing Namibia's economy hundreds of millions of dollars, prompting the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) to call for measures to strengthen the country's tourism industry while capitalising on emerging international markets.
NAPHA said the country's tourism industry remains one of the most important pillars supporting conservation, rural livelihoods and economic development, despite a slight decline in visitor arrivals last year.
Reacting to the recently released Tourist Arrivals Statistics Report 2025, the association said the figures present a mixed picture, with several encouraging trends offset by concerns that require urgent attention.
The report shows that Namibia welcomed 1.21 million visitors in 2025, down from 1.257 million in 2024, a decline of about 3.2%.
While overall arrivals fell, NAPHA said Namibia continues to demonstrate its appeal as a global wildlife and nature destination.
"Maintaining a healthy tourism industry benefits not only tourism operators, but also conservancies, farmers, local communities and wildlife conservation efforts across the country," the association said.
- Destinations
2.1 Polar Ice Cream
Godwin Walters from Polar Ice Cream Namibia speaks about their new shop in the northern Industrial area in Windhoek. He explained that the business is proudly family-owned, with his father, mother, and two sisters serving as co-owners alongside him. The new outlet aims to improve accessibility and strengthen the brand’s presence in the local market.
2.2 Rundu Beach
The manager at Rundu Beach, Peter Immanuel, shares insights into what it has to offer.
- To the Point
3.1 Medical Tourism
Namibia is emerging as a reliable medical tourism destination in Southern Africa, driven by high-quality private healthcare facilities, particularly in Windhoek, and significantly lower treatment costs compared to neighbouring countries and international hubs. We chat with Dr Ryan Volker, a Partner and Diagnostic Radiologist at Medical Imaging, who launched its Women's Wellness facility in October 2024. The facility is currently busy with a Pink Pamper campaign that will award the first 150 women who book a check-up with a gift.
(Following the recording of the show, a Teaser and highlights will also be
recorded.)
Teazer:
Don’t miss out on the latest edition of the Tourismus broadcast in which, under “Topics”, we discuss the allegations circulating on social media that officials at Sossusvlei extorted self-drive tourists, Wilderness Namibia’s latest Impact Report and Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA), urging greater collaboration to build on positive trends identified in the latest Tourist Arrivals Statistics Report.
Under “Destinations”, we visit the Polar Ice Cream Namibia’s new shop in the northern industrial area and Rundu Beach.
Under “To the Point”, we hear more about how Namibia is emerging as a reliable medical tourism destination as we chat with Dr Ryan Volker, a Partner and Diagnostic Radiologist at Medical Imaging, who launched its Women's Wellness facility in October 2024.
#Tourism #tourismus #TourismusNTV #cst #csttourism
Intro for the English version of Tourismus
TN (English) – 4 July 2026:
Don’t miss out on the latest edition of the Tourismus broadcast in which, under “Topics”, we discuss the allegations circulating on social media that officials at Sossusvlei extorted self-drive tourists, Wilderness Namibia’s latest Impact Report and Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA), urging greater collaboration to build on positive trends identified in the latest Tourist Arrivals Statistics Report.
Under “Destinations”, we visit the Polar Ice Cream Namibia’s new shop in the northern industrial area and Rundu Beach.
Under “To the Point”, we hear more about how Namibia is emerging as a reliable medical tourism destination as we chat with Dr Ryan Volker, a Partner and Diagnostic Radiologist at Medical Imaging, who launched its Women's Wellness facility in October 2024.
Enjoy!
Follow all our programs on our website at https://oneuptwo.com/ntv or on the DStv (channel 285) and GOtv (channel 25) TV channels in Namibia.
#Tourism #tourismus #TourismusNTV #cst #csttourism
