17 Aug 2020

CEO of SKL Group of Companies Mr Reaboka Mbulawa says alcohol ban worsens the effects of COVID-19 on the tourism businesses.

SKL Group of Companies which was established about 11 years ago operates three campsites at Savuti, Lenyanti, Khwai, Kumaga as well as Crocodile Camp Safari and Spa in Maun which offers both camping and lodging.

Speaking in an interview with BOPA on August 14, Mr Mbulawa said the company suffered a tremendous setback due to COVID-19. 

He said the company had a stake of about 75 per cent international tourists and 25 percent domestic tourists.

The company, he said did not retrench staff but had scaled down its employees and operated with skeletal staff of about 34 employees from about 200 employees.

 He said it was not known how long the company would manage to keep its staff due to lack of income.

As such, he said the tourism industry deserved a stimulus package and not the once off subsidy that was offered by government. 

Mr Mbulawa said the alcohol ban was detrimental to the tourism industry.

He said the domestic tourism was dependent on alcohol sales since Batswana mainly travelled for fun as compared to international tourists. 

Mr Mbulawa therefore said government should consider its approach on ban of alcohol sales since it would lead to more retrenchments in the tourism industry.

He said government should also consult with stakeholders before taking such a decision.

 He noted that his company was COVID-19 compliant as a way to complement the government efforts in the fight against the pandemic.

He said the company had spent about a half a million at the Crocodile Camp and Spa to be compliant by hiring and training safety and health officers, extending the bar space and acquiring more furniture to observe social distancing.

He therefore said alcohol ban made their compliance efforts go to waste.  

The fuel and petroleum products restrictions, early closing of fuel stations, he said also affected customers who travelled long distances. BOPA