07 Nov 2016

Radio Botswana (RB 2) recently celebrated tourism with Maun residents and other stakeholders as part of the BOT50 celebration.

Speaking during the occassion, RB veteran broadcaster, Mr Sakaio Janie said tourism was the second economic contributor behind mining, and that it has been the backbone of the economy, adding that it was important to celebrate such achievements.

Mr Janie, who is the station manager, said they brought the celebration to Maun because it was the gateway to tourism hotspots, adding that the discussions would identify challenges and threats and map a way forward in improving the sector.

He said their mandate was to disseminate information that educates and informs the nation, noting that their discussions would reach all corners of the country. He added that many people would understand the tourism sector better at the end of the discussions.

Among the panelists was Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana CEO, Ms Lily Rakorong who said tourism was an important sector that was still growing. She said it has only one product which was wildlife and wilderness, adding that in 2010 it added only 3.7 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

 “I hope by now it has improved,” she said.

Ms Rakorong said the sector could have grown bigger if the government could have invested in it when it started some years back, adding that in the beginning only private business people were interested in the business. She said as time went on the government realised that there was revenue coming and demanded tax and eventually decided to venture into it through Botswana Tourism Board.

Ms Rakorong said the government slowly ventured into tourism and introduced Botswana Tourism Organisation and eventually came up with the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism to make a mark in the tourism business, adding that many people were benefiting from it.

She further said the sector started small with only hunting and eventually introduced mobile safaris in the Ngamiland and Chobe areas and spread to other parts of the country. She added that it has improved the livelihood of many people as it creates employment and opportunities for many as well as grow the country’s economy.

Ms Wame Hambira of Community Based Resource Management (CBRM) said the tourism sector was growing in many countries, and that tourists from other nations loved visiting Botswana. She said improvements in communications, air and road transportation was vital.

She said tourism could create many opportunities for people if given priority.

She also said the tourism sector could be relied upon than mines and beef because diamonds could be depleted as well as beef that could be threatened by drought and diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease.

For his part, Mr John Willio said there were many challenges in the tourism sector that hinder Batswana from venturing in large numbers because of the required standards.  

He said the stringent rules accommodate only those with deep pockets and strong negotiating muscles.

 “Tourism is sustainable and can sustain the people and the economy of this country if only Batswana can be given a fair share of this sector to do business in,” said the Maun business tycoon.

He said he has employed 170 people in his lodges and also pays tax to the government every year, and that contributed to the economy of the country, adding that if many could venture into the sector it would boost the economy. ENDS