03 May 2021

 Tourism companies have been urged to develop packages suitable for the domestic market as the international market was affected by COVID-19.

 Officially opening Khwai Leadwood Camp, which is under the African Bush Camp group recently, Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Ms Philda Kereng said tourism companies should capitalise on local tourism as COVID-19 had negatively affected international tourism.

She, however, said the tourism industry was pinning its hopes on COVID-19 vaccines for international borders to reopen for tourism.    

She commended the African Bush Camp group for adding another camp to its portfolio at a time when the tourism industry was suffering the brunt of COVID-19.

“The opening of another camp at a time of COVID-19 is a sign of hope for the industry and the investor community,” she said, adding that increasing tourism facilities was important as the industry was the second highest contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The camp, she said, would not only help in growing the industry, but would also open the much needed job opportunities.

Ms Kereng also applauded African Bush Camp for promoting local tourism and citizen empowerment. She noted that it had employed over 130 people, the majority of whom were locals.

She also urged the company to work closely with the Khwai community and to help them benefit from their natural resources.

African Bush Camp managing director, Mr Jeroen Nys said the company was founded in Zimbabwe 13 years ago, and that it opened its first lodge in Botswana at Linyanti 11 years ago. He also noted that they had six lodges in Botswana.

Mr Nys said the company prided itself with the 124 employees it had in Botswana, and that its employees were an important asset as they provided world class experience to guests.

He said the African Bush Camp Foundation gave back to the community through education and conservation. He noted that it had a school programme, helped women in basket weaving and had supported Khwai Primary School in many ways.

Mr Nys said although COVID-19 hit the company hard, it managed to keep its employees on full medical aid.

COVID-19, he said, helped open up the domestic market, and that the company was happy to service local guests. He said the new camp provided hope for the tourism industry.

He said construction started in 2019 but that completion was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maun West MP, Mr Dumelang Saleshando said it was important to revive the tourism industry, as many people had lost jobs in the industry due to COVID-19.

He also noted that some neighbouring countries had prioritised tourism in their vaccine rollouts as a way of reviving the industry. ENDS