Köningstein heritage site access fees up again
It will now cost N$1 200 each for Namibians to see the highest point in the country - the Köningstein Peak - and N$2 400 for international visitors, newly gazetted heritage fees show.
This is an increase of 20% from the N$1 000 charged last year for Namibian visitors, and N$2 000 for international visitors.
Tour guides say the fees are important as they aid in safeguarding and preserving the sites.
The news fees were passed into law early this month and cover entrance fees to well known heritage sites and protected places like Heroes Acre; ZiebenPlaten site; Twyfelfontein main site; the Petrified Forest; the Brandberg White Lady, Jochman and White Giraffe Caves as well as the Brandberg Hiking trails.
It further includes places the Omugulu-Gwoombashe National Heritage Site, Lake Otjikoto and the Hoba Meteorite, with the Köningstein site being the most pricey, while Eenhana Shrine is the cheapest, at just N$40 per person.
Fees were hiked between 20% to 33%.
Köningstein is the highest peak in Namibia, and is located in the Erongo Region, forming part of the Brandberg Hiking trails, with an estimated terrain elevation above sea level of 2600 m.
The revised fees are passed under the National Heritage Act, 2004, which requires that the public pays a certain fee to visit protected places.
The National Heritage Council, as the responsible entity, with the approval of environment, forestry and tourism minister, decides how much needs to be paid to access these sites.
The fees are important for safeguarding tourism and creating employment.
The access fees also serve to deter vandals from places of natural beauty.
Mid-year tourist inflows into Namibia were recorded to have shown signs of improvement, reaching 68% of pre-pandemic passenger arrival level.
The field of heritage preservation requires substantial financial investment in order to ensure the multi pronged responsibility the NHC is entrusted with is executed.
Market forces in the external environment in which the institution operates leaves no option for the NHC other than the increase of entrance fees. Input costs have been on an upward trend making it justifiable for the imminent increases in entrance fees to heritage sites.
It is important for the public to note that at some heritage places entrance fees remain unchanged.
The rates are published in the Government Gazette 8206.
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