25 Mar 2014

The principal tourism officer at Tsabong, Mr Lawrence Peloewetse has expressed worry at the slow rate at which the hospitality and tourism industry is growing in the area. 

Mr Peloewetse said in an interview recently that the potential for tourism in the area far outweighs its demand. He further explained that people in the region look at wild animals as food rather than as a source of business. He called for a change of mindset to boost the hospitality and tourism industry in the area.

“In kgotla meetings people always complain about the abolition of hunting, saying hunting has always been part of their culture. We have to work very hard to teach them that wild animals can contribute to their livelihood through tourism,” he said.

Mr Peloewetse further revealed that so far they have registered only 21 hospitality business in the Kgalagadi District, 11 in Kgalagadi north and nine in Kgalagadi south, which was very low when compared to other areas.

He said young people drag their feet when it comes to venturing into tourism, partly because they find it difficult to access financial aid to start up their own tourism businesses. 

He also explained that lack of business acumen and low service standards also contribute to the failure of hospitality and tourism businesses.

“We are faring very badly when compared to other areas like Ngami where tourism is taken seriously. But we have to work very hard to improve the economy of this area, and there is great potential to improve the hospitality and tourism industry,” he said.

Mr Peloewetse revealed that they would launch an awareness campaign before the Khawa Dune Challenge to encourage all stakeholders to up their game. 

He revealed that they have been in talks with the land board to ask for land zoning to allow tourism businesses to be located in one place, saying this would increase competition and improve service standards. 

“We are working tirelessly to offer advice to business people, deal with issues of licensing, inspection and collection of revenue.  However some businesses are still failing to pay the tourism levy,” he said.

He further explained that for one to acquire a trading license they must first have a piece of land and a structure that meets the minimum requirements to run a business. He noted that requirements differ from one type of business to another. 

Mr Peloewetse encouraged businesses to improve their services especially since the annual Khawa Dune Challenge was just around the corner. Ends