04 May 2021

Community in Tsodilo has been urged to explore other tourism opportunities to diversify products from Tsodilo World Heritage Site.

The Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Ms Philda Kereng, said this during a visit to appreciate the World Heritage Site recently.

Government sought to diversify tourism products by developing new attractions to entice visitors to other various parts of the country by promoting cultural tourism, among packages, she added.

Tsodilo area, she said, had a lot to offer in terms of tourism and called on the community to think outside the box and enhance the beauty of their resource, adding that they could diversify through events such as cultural and sports tourism.

The minister appreciated that tourism in their area was nature based and had a rich history which could attract tourists.

The rocks of Tsodilo had provided the past inhabitants of Tsodilo with different resources, ranging from iron ore, stone tools and water.

Ms Kereng said the community could explore other opportunities such as putting up some cultural, art and crafts stalls, selling of traditional food and indigenous knowledge through story telling around bonfire during visits.

She pointed out that bringing more products would enhance seasonality of destination and increase length of stay as well as help to alleviate poverty. 

“We do not want visitors to appreciate the beauty of the hills only, but we want them to spend some nights in the area and enjoy other activities,” she added.

She noted that government was making efforts to revive the tourism industry, which had been had hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, hence their mission to identify domestic tourism sites such as Tsodilo to see how best they could expand tourism diversification.

In addition, she stated that Parliament had adopted a Tourism Policy that sought to improve the position of Botswana as a tourism destination of choice and to enhance the sector as a major economic activity.

The policy, she said, aimed at enhancing domestic tourism product development, facilitating Batswana to be able to brand and market their country.

Ms Kereng noted that through the policy, government wanted to stimulate employment opportunities and improve quality of life. She also pointed out that government intended to revive community trusts and capacitate them so that they could increase tourism products.

She acknowledged that Tsodilo Trust was on track since it introduced Tsodilo Hills Heritage Challenge, which attracted participants interested in fitness both locally and internationally.

For his part, Kgosi Mutemo Mbambo of Shakawe emphasised the need to expand tourism base products in the area to enhance economic activities and transform the image of the village.

He requested government to consider bringing in some wildlife species to add value to what the area offered and make it more attractive.

He also urged government to consider improving Tsodilo road, noting that its status left a lot to be desired. 

The road, he said, could also help unlock the economic potential of the whole area.

“We cannot talk about tourism when we do not have good roads infrastructure and other basic needs such as electricity,” said Kgosi Mambo. ENDS