11 Mar 2020

The outbreak of COVID-19 strain of coronavirus in several countries has affected the tourism industry in Ngamiland,  says chairperson of the Botswana Guides Association (BOGA)

Mr Kenson Kgage said the outbreak of COVID-19 had negatively affected  the tourism industry as well as other industries that were dependent on imports.

Other operators and guides are already feeling the impact of the outbreak as some were running businesses at a loss due to cancellations of bookings by international tourists.

Every year around winter, Ngamiland district receives a large number of travelers across the world to appreciate the beauty of the Okavango Delta.

The travellers book in advance for the whole year and some operators and guides revealed in an interview that since the outbreak, their businesses had been shaky as some countries had imposed travel restrictions to protect their citizens from contracting the disease.

The chairperson of BOGA confirmed that some tourists had already cancelled or postponed their trips. BOGA is an association that provides a platform for guides and small scale operators to promote their businesses and most of its members are mobile safari operators.

The association promotes the development of the locally based tour and safari industry in Botswana, providing employment opportunities for the local people.

Mr Kgage confirmed that he had already received seven cancellations noting that most of his clients were from Italy.

He said they were living in fear as their businesses might collapse if the situation did not stabilize which would result in job losses.

Mr Kgage has employed four permanent staff and seven freelancers. He explained that during peak season, he hired between 15 to 20 people.

He expressed disappointment  that the outbreak could exacerbate unemployment, noting that some locals had already felt the pinch especially those operating mekoro excursions at Boro and Morutsha as they spent some days without clients.

Mr Tuelo Bapedi from Botswana Safari Guides Union concurred that the outbreak had affected the tourism industry adding that some guides had confirmed cancellation of bookings from international tourists.

He described the outbreak as an international crisis.

Some locals however were optimistic that the outbreak would be tackled and contained.

Ms Rita Tando of Sankoyo Management Trust said they had received only one cancellation so far.

The trust operates Kaziikini camp site and Ms Tando revealed that they had advanced booking for the whole year noting that the camp site was fully booked before for the one cancellation. ENDS