23 Nov 2021

 The Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) has complimented   the COVID-19 vaccination drive it undertook with the support from Ministry of Health and Wellness.

The association appreciated that the ministry had delivered COVID 19 jabs in 77 sites covering over 4 500 residents of the North West district since September 24.

A press release from the association states that the just-ended two-month initiative, is a clear testament of an effective partnership between the private sector, under HATAB and government, duly represented by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The association says the initiative will boost the tourism industry by restoring tourists’ faith in Botswana’s COVID-19 intervention measures.

The release states that the initiative evoke wider interest of the tourism industry, given the material support provided in the form of administrative personnel, logistical and medical back up that saw the hiring of five private sector nurses.

It says the industry equally provided transport, accommodation and meals for the vaccination teams. HATAB also noted that of great interest has been the sensitisation exercise to its members prior to inoculation at the Power Station site in Maun, which administered up to 260 vaccines a day.

The project covered communities at 11 remote areas of Xaxaba, Mochaba, Gabamochaa, Ouxau, Morutsa, Daonara, Ditshiping, Goruku, Xharaxao, Tsutsubega and Gogomoga where 475 vaccines were distributed.

HATAB commends African Bush Camps, Airborne Lifeline Foundation, AndBeyond, Desert and Delta Safaris, Helicopter Horizon, Ker and Downey Botswana, Kwando Safaris, Moremi Air, Natural Selection Safaris, Safari Air, Under One Botswana Sky, Wilderness Air and Wilderness Safaris for their unflinching support and unwavering commitment to supporting national, regional and global efforts in the fight against COVID-19.

The release st ates that the tourism and hospitality industry being among the largest contributors to the national economy and accounting for 4.9 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Botswana is a key contributor to job creation, skills transfer and development of new competencies.ENDS