There is potential for considerable expansion of community benefits from tourism in Namibia. 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.This paper describes and assesses Namibia's experience of CBT to date, outlining the options, constraints, and strategies being pursued. It also presents findings on the potential of CBT to generate local income for residents of communal areas and discusses whether and how these financial benefits can contribute to the objectives of enhanced local development and conservation.