03 Dec 2015

Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi Khama has told Parliament that the  development of the market segment of urban tourism, also referred to as City Tourism is still at infancy stage.

Answering a question in Parliament on Tuesday,  he said   in order for city tourism to thrive, it should be preceded by some significant investment in the requisite physical infrastructure and readiness of attraction to receive tourists. He however said he was pleased that the Botswana Tourism Organisation was working closely with the Department of National Museums and Monuments to rehabilitate and ready some monuments and heritage sites in the city to a level suitable for tourism.

“Among the initiatives development are Bonnington farm, Gaborone Botanical gardens, as well as other potential attractions such as Gaborone Game Reserve and the planned Gaborone Tourism Precinct” he said.

Minister Khama said it was hoped that through these developments, together with their relentless efforts to develop new products and events based on contemporary urban culture will add significantly to the regeneration of Gaborone City and inject some much needed urban vibrancy, thereby positioning Gaborone as a competitive urban tourism destination.

“It goes without saying that overtime, similar project will be undertaken at other centres throughout the country. Gaborone North MP, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa had asked the minister about  programmes  in place to promote urban tourism. Ends