23 Jul 2020

Uncertainty about the availability of fuel and challenges in issuing inter-zonal permits greatly disadvantaged some boat operators in Maun during the President’s Day holiday.

Only a few who had made bookings made it, leaving operators who had hoped for a profitable holiday, without customers and the income they had hoped for.

Customers who were expected from such places as Gaborone and Francistown had to cancel because of challenges related to fuel and issuing of permits.

The operators make a living by ferrying tourists to explore the Okavango Delta.

They enjoy support from international tourists whom because of the COVID-19 pandemic have been grounded.

In a random interview, some stated that they anticipated an improvement in business during the holiday, but that was not to be because only a few honoured their bookings.

One operator, Mr Kagiso Mokgadi said about 100 people from outside Maun had made bookings but only about half made it.

He however, appreciated what they managed to achieve over the holiday since business had not been so good.

Mr Mokgadi stated that residents from Maun and surrounding villages were supportive even though they charged them low prices of about P50-P100 per person.

He said it was important to promote domestic tourism adding that while Batswana were an adventurous nation, some felt it was costly.

Maun Boat Operators Association chairperson, Mr Segolame Marewa said the European market was their biggest and now ban on international travels had paralysed their businesses.

He said efforts were made in 2017 to introduce packages targeting Batswana as they traveled in large numbers during public holidays.

“The pandemic caught us off guard. We never realised that our operations would change so much. We have learnt a lesson and realise the need to revisit the way we have been doing business,” stated Mr Marewa.

Mr Marewa wished for government to re-visit fuel guidelines saying they negatively affected their businesses.

He also called for an extension of wage subsidy since some businesses were not fully recovered from the effects of COVID-19. ENDS