Porsche tour unlikely to lift tourism numbers

The Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) says Porsche’s return to Namibia with its exclusive Camp 911 driving experience is unlikely to increase the country’s overall tourism numbers.

The German luxury car maker will host its Camp 911 Namibia experience from 13 September, offering participants six days of off-road driving through some of Namibia’s best-known landscapes.

HAN chief executive Gitta Paetzold says the programme serves a specific market and should not be expected to increase general tourist arrivals.

“There is no direct link, as Porsche has its client base that has been coming to Namibia on incentive tours for a few years. It has no direct influence on general tourism,” Paetzold says.

The experience starts at Walvis Bay International Airport and costs 23 911 euros (approximately N$500 000) per person.
The package includes six days, with four days of driving a Porsche 911 Dakar.

Participants will stay at a private camp, Camp 911, in the Moon Landscape near the Namib-Naukluft National Park before travelling to Gmundner Lodge Namibia.

The six-day programme starts with a shuttle from Walvis Bay to the camp, followed by a driver briefing, a traditional Namibian braai and stargazing.

Participants will then drive through the Namib-Naukluft National Park, the Welwitschia Plains, the Atlantic coast and the Moon Landscape, with activities including off-road driving, a scenic flight over the Namib Sand Sea and local dining experiences.

The programme also includes a 460-kilometre drive through remote parts of Namibia to Gmundner Lodge.

Porsche says the experience is designed for driving enthusiasts and travellers who want to explore Namibia from behind the wheel of its off-road sports car.

The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), however, believes the event will help strengthen Namibia’s reputation as a destination for high-end adventure tourism.

NTB spokesperson Flora Quest last week said Porsche’s return to Namibia shows confidence in the country’s tourism industry.

“When a globally recognised brand such as Porsche selects Namibia for one of its exclusive driving experiences, it reflects confidence in our country’s unique landscapes, tourism infrastructure, hospitality and ability to deliver world-class visitor experiences,” she said.

Quest said the event is expected to benefit accommodation providers, tour operators, guides, transport services and communities along the driving route.

“Through Porsche’s global marketing platforms, international media coverage and participant-generated content, Namibia is showcased to a high-value audience that actively seeks authentic and exclusive travel experiences,” she said.

The event comes as Namibia is working to grow its tourism sector after a slight drop in visitor numbers.

Two weeks ago, environment and tourism minister Indileni Daniel announced that tourist arrivals fell by 3.2% between 2024 and 2025, from 1.25 million visitors to 1.21 million.

Despite the decline, Germany remained Namibia’s biggest European source market, accounting for 35.6% of all arrivals from Europe in 2025.

The 2025 Tourist Arrivals Statistics Report also showed that tourist arrivals from Europe declined by 21% between 2024 and 2025.

Quest said events such as Camp 911 should form part of Namibia’s broader tourism strategy.

“They help reinforce Namibia’s international brand, generate global visibility, attract high-spending visitors and inspire future travel,” she said.

She added that one event alone will not change tourism numbers, but it helps promote Namibia and supports long-term tourism growth.

The post Porsche tour unlikely to lift tourism numbers appeared first on The Namibian.