03 Jun 2015

The Cross Okavango Expedition will grow appreciation of the country’s tourism product and encourage local travel, the Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) has said. 

Speaking in an interview in Shakawe during the farewell of the Cross Okavango Expedition team, BTO public relations officer, Mr Samuel Lephalo, said they partnered with the adventure photojournalists leading the expedition, Mr Pako Lesejane and Mr Thalefang Charles, after realising the potential of the project.

Messrs Lesejane and Charles together with two members of Timeline Production started a 16 day traditional mokoro trip to explore the Okavango Delta on June 1 from Seronga to Shakawe and Shakawe to Maun. They expect to arrive in Maun on June 16.

Mr Lephalo noted that the expedition came at an opportune moment following the listing of the Okavango Delta as a UNESCO World Heritage site last year. “The expedition is a one of a kind activity, which will expose the Okavango Delta and tourism in Botswana,” he said.

He noted that appreciation of tourism among Batswana has recently improved owing to cultural events such as Makgadikgadi Epic, Khawa Dune Challenge and others. He added that there is a growing diversity of events that promote tourism, which range from culture to sports.

However, Mr Lephalo expressed concern that Batswana are not active in travel tourism despite cheaper local rates. He said that some Batswana still feel that the rates are expensive.

He said BTO continues to make efforts to market tourism to locals and internationally, citing the Botswana Travel and Tourism Explore workshop.

 He said the platform has been bringing local and international tour operators together since 2013. He added that the workshop has helped locals involved in tourism to network and secure international clients. Ends