30 Oct 2014

The Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO) manager in Ngamiland, Bigani Setume says there is need to develop tourism avenues for continuity purposes.

Speaking at the Maun International Arts Festival poetry versus comedy night on October 29, Setume hailed the spoken word poetry movement for being a crucial partner with BTO in promoting Maun as a tourism destination, thus helping BTO to deliver its mandate.

Setume noted that cultural tourism activities had shown a decline, hence the need to promote tourism events such as the annual one hosted by Poetavango, which attracted artists and audiences across the country and internationally.

She noted that the decline in cultural tourism called for Botswana to reflect and see other activities such as sports tourism, which were also booming. Setume said Poetavango also promoted literary arts and the spirit of reading among Batswana, which was lacking.

Comedians such as Goody the bad, Phaps, Stoki from Maun, Rib Cracker, Thulani and Brookes had the audience laughing their lungs out. Poetess Nomps, poet Mr Poke of Poetavango, Obusitswe Motswasele and poet the Answer also kept the audience amused with their performances.

Setume said the Poetavango week-long series of events, which included writer’s workshop, theatre workshop, comedy and poetry, offers a diversification of tourism and made Maun a tourism destination as compared to being the gate way to the Okavango delta tourist attraction as has been the case.

The Poetavango events will end on Saturday with a poetry and dinner at Maun Lodge. ENDS