31 Mar 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many tourism businesses closing down and retrenching employees, while some are left uncertain about their careers.

There are however, some accommodation facilities, like Laphroiag Luxury Chalets located in Maun, that are still operational and maintaining staff, despite the impact of the coronavirus.

In an interview, the owner of Laphroiag facility, Mr James Evans explained that the COVID-19 outbreak had negatively affected hospitality operations, as most of the bookings had been cancelled due to restrictions in movement.

His facility had also felt the pinch, but stated that it was not that bad as most of their clients were locals, while three per cent were international.

“We did not depend much on international visitors, unlike other tourism businesses, hence we are still operational,” he added.

Mr Evans said most of their clients booked for this year’s Mascom Derby billed for Easter Holidays, but all cancelled the bookings after the postponement of the spectacular event to July 19, in line with guidelines by the government and in the interest of the safety and well-being of participants, spectators and the public at large.

Mr Evans appreciated that the derby brought a lot of businesses to Maun.

He said before the postponement of the derby, all hospitality facilities were fully booked and currently, many are crying foul due to low business.

Some facilities, he said had shut down some of their apartments because they were running at a loss.

Most of the businesses, he said made a killing during public holidays as Maun experienced influx of people from within and outside Botswana.

He noted that even though the business was low, Laphroiag had no intention of retrenching staff.

Mr Evans said he was trying by all means to maintain all his 12 members of staff and pay them full salary, because COVID-19 was an emergency, which caught all off guard.

“We are trying to keep things normal under the circumstances because we do not want anyone to lose their job.

It is a sad situation because some days there is business, while other days our rooms are empty, but we do our best to keep on going,” he added.

He said they had closed some units such as the restaurant and were currently focusing on accommodation.

Mr Evans revealed that they would only shut down once the government announces lock down.

Meanwhile, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has yeaterday ordered an extreme social distancing of 28 days starting Friday. ENDS