There is potential for considerable expansion of community benefits from tourism in
Namibia. For example, incomes earned by local workers and communities from tourism
enterprises could increase three-fold in the communal areas of Caprivi, Bushmanland, and
Kunene -- even without any increase in the natural resource base or decrease in
agricultural land-use -- based on estimates by Barnes.5
By raising local incomes and
developing skills, this expansion can contribute to sustainable local development and
community based conservation. At the same time, involvement of local people in the
industry improves the tourism product and enhances popular support for the industry.