24 Mar 2019

Improved accessibility and efficient transportation infrastructure are two central preconditions for tourism development, says Maun East MP Mr Kostantinos Markus.

Debating Ministry of Transport and Communications 2019/2020 budget proposal, Mr Markus said tourism played an important role in the country’s economy, hence the need to facilitate the development of access roads to key destination areas to increase the influx of tourists.

He said despite the level of accessibility and the state of transportation infrastructure development achieved in Maun, particularly the Maun airport facelift, there was still room for improvement in the road network. He cited the Shorobe-Okavango Delta access road as a coherent route that could improve the tourism industry.

Mr Markus also advocated for an integrated tourism website and online booking services that would disseminate information on tourism attraction sites in the country to assist visitors.

He also applauded Air Botswana for procuring new fleet and introducing direct routes that link Botswana with neighboring countries.

Mr Markus noted that a limited number of flight operators and air routes had in the past been a stumbling block towards improving the tourism industry.

Also contributing to the debate, specially elected MP, Mr Kitso Mokaila indicated that government was taking advantage of the country’s location in the SADC region and transforming it into a regional transportation hub through developing road networks and cross border bridges.

Mr Mokaila added that the developments resonated well with the government’s goal of turning Botswana into a transport hub in Southern Africa, considering the strategic location of the country in the region.

He stated that through the aviation sector, government intended to develop to full capacity Botswana’s tourism sector and her trade routes in an endeavor to achieve economic growth.

He said the country was in the process of moving 80 per cent of the truck fleet from road to rail so that it could reach out to further destinations.

Jwaneng/Mabutsane legislator, Mr Shawn Ntlhaile pleaded with government to improve the rail network so that it could network Botswana with the entire SADC region, adding that the Trans-Kalahari proposed railway line that would directly connect Botswana with Namibia needed to promptly be constructed as it had the potential to significantly contribute to the country’s economy.

He said the road network particularly in rural areas also needed to be improved to lure investors in rural areas and create sustainable employment for rural area dwellers.

Further, MP for Mmathethe/Molapowabojang Dr Alfred Madigele urged the ministry to provide a conducive environment for economic growth that required adequate transport infrastructure and better connectivity.

Dr Madigele stated that government needed to invest on the development of key economic enablers. Ends