16 Jun 2020

The Minister for Environment, Tourism and Natural Resource Conservation Ms Philda Kereng says the ministry is considering allowing activities by the Thamalakane River as way of re-opening the tourism industry.

Ms Kereng said this when speaking in Maun at a District Emergency Operations Center meeting which was attended by the Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane recently.

She observed that since the North West district was fortunate to have no COVID-19 case to date, the ministry was deliberating on allowing people to undertake activities such as beach walks while observing COVID-19 protocols.

She said the ministry would further consider activities that could raise revenue such as hosting of events as Nkashi Classic at the Thamalakane River in Maun which is an activity of Mokoro poolers.

Ms Kereng said the ministry would work hard to ensure the tourism sector survives as international tourism remained prohibited due to COVID-19.

On other matters, she said the issue of assisting freelance guides and poolers who were affected by COVID-19 was still on the table and hoped to be finalised soon.

She said the ministry wouls also consider ways  to assist some tourism companies that were affected.

Another consideration, Ms Kereng said, was allowing conferencing and sale of alcohol in hotels under strict COVID-19 regulations.

When commenting, the Member of Parliament for Maun West Dumelang Saleshando urged the minister to fast track the issue of assisting freelance guides and poolers since they had been negatively affected by COVID-19.

Mr Saleshando also advised that the tourism sector businesses be assisted with wage subsidy beyond the standard three months since there were no international visits, noting that some businesses had closed down leading to job losses. ENDS