27 Feb 2013

Four tourist enterprises in the Southern District were licensed during the 2012/13  financial year.

The Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi Khama told Parliament on Tuesday that the newly licensed tourism enterprises, which included three guest houses and one hotel, had employed 36 people.

Mr Khama said employment level had increased by 10 per cent from 358 in 2011/2012 to 394 in 2012/2013. However, he said there were no specific individual tourism projects that took place during 2012/13.

The minister noted that there were community projects undertaken in the Southern District that included Mogonye Gorge built by the ministry and operated by the Mmamotshwane Community Trust which is complete.

He also cited the Kolobeng Campsites comprising of camping area ablutions and recreation which is under construction, adding that other projects include the Southern Botswana Heritage sites developed in 2012/13.

Minister Tshekedi said these projects hade the potential to grow and create jobs in the Southern District.

The MP for Kanye South, Mr Abram Kesupile wanted the minister to state the number and types of tourism activities that were undertaken in the Southern District during the 2012/2013 financial year.

Mr Kesupile also asked the minister to state the number of people who benefitted from such activities and the projects undertaken by individuals or community groups that had the potential to grow and create jobs. ENDS