18 Jul 2013

Parliament has been informed that in keeping with global trading norms, it is correct that bookings by some tourists who visit Botswana are made and paid for outside the country.

Answering a question in Parliament on July 17, Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi  Khama said an example of the global trading norms was that if a Botswana resident booked a holiday abroad, they might do such through a tour operator or travel agent in Botswana and also pay for such in Botswana.

From such an arrangement, he said Botswana benefitted because its tourism was sold throughout the world directly through access to global tour operators and travel agents as well as having access to packages that included other countries.

The minister also noted that the country derived revenue from Botswana registered and licenced tourism companies through company taxes including VAT, tourism industry training levy, leasehold rentals where applicable and percentage based royalties on gross revenue for those operating in concession areas.

Meanwhile, Minister Khama said Statistics Botswana did not have tourism statistics for 2011 and 2012 while the latest available tourism statistics was for 2009 when P5.8 billion was raised from taxes.

Palapye MP, Mr Moiseraele Goya had asked the minister if it is true that bookings by some tourists who visit Botswana were made and paid for outside Botswana and abroad and if so, how Botswana benefited from such an arrangement.

Mr Goya also wanted to know how the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism ensured that the country derived some revenue from this and how much in revenue had Botswana benefited from the arrangement during 2011 and 2012. ENDS