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Industry participants in Botswana and abroad extol the country’s unique natural resources that provide it with a significant advantage in the tourism sector.  Tourism is a major contributor to the national economy and has tremendous potential for growth.  Most business analysts estimate this difficult-to-quantify sector accounts for less than 10 percent of GDP.  The GoB is committed to growing the sector as part of its economic diversification strategy and has lined several tourism projects to be funded under the current financial budget.  This includes exploring value chain opportunities in the tourism sector and the Kasane-Kazungula re-development project.  Botswana seeks to broaden its tourism base by adding more products and increasing the geographic spread of tourism.  While to-date Botswana tourism has focused almost exclusively on high-end consumers, the GoB is interested in expanding into the mid-range market in an effort to increase revenue and jobs for Batswana.  Providing consistent quality service remains the main challenge.  

While there are few high-quality hotel and conference facilities in Gaborone, Botswana has sought to position itself as a conference destination.  The GoB and Washington-based Corporate Council on Africa co-hosted the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in July 2023 .  Botswana hosted the 73rd session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in August-September 2023.  Gaborone’s hotel room capacity is still insufficient even with the emergence of new hotel service providers, creating an opportunity for investment.  In 2019, the U.S.-based chain Hilton entered the Botswana hotel market with a branch of its Hilton Garden Inn brand in Gaborone.  In 2020, the U.S.-based Marriott International – the largest hotel chain in the world – entered the Botswana market through an existing property now operating under Marriott’s Protea brand.

The Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO), a quasi-governmental entity, is responsible for all operational functions of the tourism sector such as marketing, investment promotion, and the grading of tourism facilities to international standards.  The Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) is a non-profit organization that serves as the governing body of hospitality and tourism industries. This wholly member funded organization exists to promote, encourage, and police excellence in hospitality and tourism in Botswana.

Sub-Sector Best Prospects  

Eco-tourism, midrange tourism excursions, hotels, lodges, resorts, direct flights, and restaurants are the best sub-sector prospects.

Opportunities  

There are opportunities for joint ventures for hotel expansions and start-ups along the Trans-Kalahari Highway, joining Botswana and Namibia, and development of lodges in the Kgalagadi Trans-frontier Park, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, and forest reserves surrounding Chobe National Park.  A memorandum of understanding to establish a trans-frontier conservation area, commonly referred to as the Limpopo-Shashe Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA), was signed in June 2006.  This is a unique partnership between the governments of Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, the private sector, and the local communities to create new opportunities for eco-tourism.  The TFCA was renamed the Greater Mapungubwe TFCA on June 19, 2009. The Greater Mapungubwe is similar in concept to the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) TFCA that seeks to connect Protected Areas in Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Angola.  Member countries are working to simplify travel between protected areas in the five-country region through the implementation of the KAZA UniVisa for Botswana and the region.  

Resources  

Botswana Ministry of Environment and Tourism

Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB)

The Tourist (Botswana Tourism Magazine)

Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO)

Botswana Ministry of Trade and Industry  

UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

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National Workshop with Tourism Stakeholders in Botswana in Maun on 9 February-Project of the Development of National Tourism Strategy and Master Plan of Botswana

UNWTO and the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism of Botswana are collaborating to prepare a National Tourism Strategy and Master Plan which will guide tourism development from 2022-2032.

The Tourism Strategy and Master Plan come at a strategic time- where it will address not only measures to stimulate the recovery of the tourism sector during COVID times but also pave the way for the sustainable development of Botswana through tourism. The workshop was organized to convene the stakeholders to prioritize issues to be addressed in the National Tourism Strategy and Master Plan for Botswana.

“We are looking for a Tourism Strategy and Master Plan which is robust, practical and implementable and which will enable Botswana to become the destination of choice” stated Dr. Oduetse Koboto, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism stated at the Opening Ceremony of the National Workshop.

The current phase of the project includes a detailed review of the tourism sector in Botswana, taking into account the Government’s Vision 2036 and Revised Tourism Policy for future tourism development and the role the sector will play in the country’s socio-economic advancement. in addition to the identification of the key areas and issues that should be addressed through the preparation of a long-term National Tourism Development Strategy and Master Plan for Botswana 2022-2032 which will be the next step of the project.

The National Strategy and Master Plan will provide guidance in terms of implementing and managing the Revised Tourism Policy of Botswana with a view toward the efficient management of tourism resources, both cultural and natural; the mainstreaming of tourism in the Government planning process; and the increased participation and ownership of the local communities in the development of the sector.

Tourism Strategy and Master Plan

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• Travel and Tourism
• The Weekender

A NATIONAL TOURISM STRATEGY AND MASTER PLAN FOR BOTSWANA

The Government of Botswana wishes to review and update its national tourism development strategy to build upon the Tourism Policy of 2021. As a result, the Botswana government has embarked on a plan to produce a national tourism master plan and tourism Strategy by July 2022.

Tourism is recognized as one of Botswana’s key growth sectors capable not only of generating valuable foreign revenues and providing substantial employment, especially in rural areas, but also able to act as a catalyst of socio-economic change.

‘Tourism’ is the term used to describe the travels of people to a place outside their normal environment, for any purpose (business, leisure or personal, including visiting friends or relatives, medical, study etc.) and not directly connected with their everyday employment or activity. As a result, when people undertake this travel, they are categorized as ¨visitors¨.

In Botswana, the tourism sector has come to be seen as over-reliant on the high value/low impact approach that has created a valuable international reputation for sensitive wildlife and environmental conservation but resulted in a low average length-of-stay among foreign visitors and a lack of product diversity. One of the key objectives in tourism development therefore is to diversify the product offering to attract a broader diversity of markets, increase the average length of stay and expenditure, create more jobs and provide better opportunities for local communities to share in the economic benefits of tourism.

The production of national tourism master plan and tourism Strategy has resulted in the UNWTO which is contracted to undertake countrywide research consultative process. The consultations involve a wide range of public and private sector stakeholders in Gaborone and across the country, in person or remotely.

It also involves desk research into all available statistical data, research studies, tourism strategies, legislation, and other relevant documentation. It also a regular consultation with the Department of Tourism and her colleagues. There was an extensive field trip to all main tourist areas, involving interviews with local officials and stakeholders, including Tsabong, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Tswapong Hills (Moremi Gorge), Selebi-Phikwe, Tuli Block, Francistown, Nata, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Maun, Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Panhandle (Shakawe, Mohembo Bridge, Tsodilo Hills) and Ghanzi. Similarly, the Chobe District had been explored in detail for the Kasane-Kazungula Master Plan project. The UNWTO also visited several community trusts and community tourism projects in rural areas consulting them on the proposed national tourism master plan and tourism Strategy. A full day consultation workshop in Maun and Gaborone with local/regional tourism and hospitality stakeholders were conducted. Finally, written surveys of private sector stakeholders were also received.

The provisional recommendations take heed of national strategic objectives, namely product and market diversification, the need for greater citizen and local community engagement and the desire to grow the domestic leisure market. These sit alongside the ever-present goals of how to increase foreign revenues and create more jobs while protecting and conserving Botswana’s invaluable natural and cultural assets. It is from this background that the UNWTO team of ten (10) consultants should produce the Botswana Tourism Master Plan and Tourism Strategy by July 2022.

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Botswana commits to MICE with new strategy in the offing

• Published: 4:14 PM UTC, Sat April 22, 2023

Botswana’s Ministry of Tourism has assured the private sector of its commitment to accelerating the tourism industry’s recovery. The Ministry through several initiatives is keen to see the industry surpass the pre-pandemic levels.

Speaking at the just-ended 2023 HATAB conference, Botswana’s Minister of Tourism Philda Nani Kereng revealed that Botswana Tourism Organisation is developing a Meetings Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) strategy to increase destination competitiveness and a diverse product offering.

The strategy will assist in promoting the country as a MICE destination to the international markets, and identify and address the infrastructure and skills gaps that need to be addressed to support the growth of the MICE industry.

“The MICE industry is changing and adapting itself to the growing demand, both globally and in Botswana and this is an opportunity not to be missed. We are currently working on the MICE strategy so we may inform the growth potential for the sector,” the Minister indicated.

Through the strategy activities suitable for local entrepreneurs will be identified in the tourism value chain which is aligned to Botswana’s reset agenda.

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Who is Minister of Tourism in Botswana

What is Tourism?

Tourism is travel for pleasure or business, and the commercial activity of providing and supporting such travel.

The Minister for Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism Honourable Philda Nani Kereng hosted ⁹ a meet and greet session in honour of the Tourism Industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Minister of Environmental Affairs Botswana?

Philda Kereng as Minister in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, the Ministry embarked on a pledge to achieve the Ministry’s transformation agenda.

Who is the CEO of Botswana Tourism?

Myra Sekgororoane joins BTO again, as CEO.

Who is Philda Kereng?

Botswana Minister of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism, Honourable Philda Nani Kereng who is also the Vice-Chairperson of SASSCAL Council of Ministers hosted the SASSCAL Board Members on 26 July 2022.

Who is the management team of Botswana Tourism Organisation?

Botswana Tourism Board employs 128 employees. The Botswana Tourism Board management team includes Keitumetse Setlang (Communications Manager), Tshepho Mmokele (Marketing Executive), and Shatho Lopang (Business Development Officer).

What is the best definition of tourism?

Tourism is a social, cultural and economic phenomenon which entails the movement of people to countries or places outside their usual environment for personal or business/professional purposes.

What are 3 types of tourism?

There are three basic forms of tourism: domestic tourism, inbound tourism, and outbound tourism.

What is tourism and importance?

Tourism offers great opportunities for emerging economies and developing countries. It creates jobs, strengthens the local economy, contributes to local infrastructure development and can help to conserve the natural environment and cultural assets and traditions, and to reduce poverty and inequality.

What are the types of tourism in Ghana?

The tourist industry in Ghana is known to promote sustainable tourism that includes: cultural tourism, heritage tourism, recreational tourism, adventure tourism and events tourism. Cultural tourism focuses on festivals and events, whereas heritage tourism focuses on the history of the slave routes.

What is tourism in other words?

The act of traveling, typically for leisure. travel. exploration. journey. passage.

Why tourism is important to a country?

Tourism helps to “enhance employment opportunities and earnings, which can be of major economic significance to the local population” [18]. In terms of employment, the local community could expand their earnings and socio-economic condition, which could lead to an improved standard of living.

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Guided Tours

The department offers group guided tours to all museums in Botswana.

Groups of Citizen and Non-citizen

Submit a request in writing, email, fax  or post

No further documents required

Ten (10) working days

Department of National Museum and Monuments

Private Bag 00114

Tel. (+267) 3973860

Fax. (+267) 3911186

Opening Hours: 07:30 to 12:45 and 12:45 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, except on Public Holidays.

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