06 May 2018

There is need to review policies and related legislatures that guide the tourism industry for the sector to achieve optimum results.

Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) chairperson, Dr Thapelo Matsheka said this during the HATAB annual conference in Maun on May 4. He also advised on the need to review the tourism policy of 1990, the tourism masterplan of 2000 and the Wildlife and National Parks Act.

Dr Matsheka also called for a national tourism strategy and availability of up-to-date statistics to help tourism operators make informed decisions.

“The review of policies and legislatures will help the tourism sector to grow wealth creation pledge its support to government in employment creation,” he said.

He noted that HATAB was formed about 36 years ago to provide a voice for the tourism sector.

Dr Matsheka observed that there were positive results, citing the formation of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism and Botswana Tourism Board (BTO) since the formation of HATAB.

He said partnership with government had brought results and development as the tourism sector was leading in employment creation.

Dr Matsheka complained about lack of consultation when Botswana left the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA).

In his remarks, deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Mr Felix Monggae said the tourism policy had been revised in the past 10 years, and that the draft was 95 per cent complete and awaiting contributions from stakeholders.

Mr Monggae said the Tourism Master Plan of 2000 would be reviewed at the same time as well as the development of a national tourism strategy.

He said the policy and the other relevant legislatures were being revised which would ease business and promote environment protection.

Mr Monggae said the ministry pulled out of RETOSA to give the private sector a chance to lead. He also said that the private sector was informed at the High Level Consultation Conference (HLCC).

He said the call for BTO CEO would be considered and the role of BTO. Mr Monngage said the private sector was allowed to provide services at events led by BTO, but said the private sector would lead where they could. Ends