14 Jan 2015

Some Maun hotels and lodges had nothing to write home about regarding festive season lodgings.

Speaking in an interview, Ms Boitumelo Desoza, a banqueting coordinator and guest relations officer at Riley’s Hotel said although many believed that Maun, as a tourism centre attracted many people and tourists, it never happened this time around.



Ms Desoza said they did not receive many guests from outside the country but only locals who booked at the hotel during the festive season.

 She added that they had 80 per cent locals and 20 per cent foreigners, noting that it appeared many people spent a lot of their time with their families.



Ms Desoza noted that even tourists find it expensive to travel than to spend quality time with their loved ones and relatives.



She emphasised that many locals from Gaborone, Francistown and Lobatse normally travel to Maun during the festive to experience the tourism beauty going through to the Okavango Delta to experience the World Heritage site and the cultures of other tribes.



Ms Desoza said they offered specials on accommodations and food during the festive season so that many could appreciate their hotel.



Meanwhile, Maun Centre Lodge front office manager Mr Galani Makhumalo said the festive season normally boosts their business.



He said they usually receive more guests that come from different places around Botswana, adding that they did not have more guests from outside, except just a few from Namibia passing to South Africa.



Mr Makhumalo said they have an advantage of being in the centre of the town and near the bus and taxi rank.



As a result, many people who travel by public transport prefer their lodge than travelling long distances to other lodges situated in the outskirts of the tourist town.



“Many people also preferred our lodge because we normally offer low prices to our guests in some occasions and many are aware of our hospitality,” he said.



Mr Makhumalo said they normally host many government employees in their lodge during the festive seasons that are often on leave.
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