19 Jul 2022

Absa Bank will continue to align its strategy to support businesses and government’s agenda through industries that are crucial for the country’s transformation and sustainable growth, says Absa Botswana acting managing director, Mr Krishnan Menon.

Speaking during customers’ engagement meeting themed “Navigating the tourism landscape” in Maun Friday, he said tourism and agricultural sectors played a critical role in promoting   government’s economic diversification agenda.

He said Absa was committed to being a strategic partner in the recovery of the economic growth and development of Maun and the entire district.

Mr Menon further noted that they were positive about the Maun and the entire district  as an agricultural centre as it was was endowed with fertile land.  

Although tourism was the hardest hit sector by COVID-19 pandemic as significant losses was incurred, Mr Menon said there had also been some key learning from the experience as it opened an opportunity to rethink tourism for the future.

The industry, he said was at a crossroads and the measures put in place today would shape tourism in future.

 Mr Menon commended the government for having taken impressive immediate actions to restore and re-activate the sector while protecting jobs and businesses.

“We can all agree that there are some signs of recovery evidenced by the country’s successful COVID-19 vaccine rollout program. The Omicron variant has also shown a record-low number of COVID related hospitalizations and deaths. These will go a long way in restoring traveler confidence,” he added.

Mr Menon also acknowledged that players in the industry had taken initiatives such as promoting domestic tourism thus giving Batswana an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of their country and also lessening the negative impact in businesses

He said Absa would continue to support businesses during difficult times as they did when the industry experienced a major downturn. 

Mr Menon said they were encouraged by the opening of economy which gave all the opportunity to focus on building their businesses.

Botswana Tourism Organization marketing executive officer, Mr Dawson Ramsden shared the organization’s mandate and how industry players could navigate the tourism landscape.

He said there were platforms that  could be used to achieve marketing destinations such as choosing marketing activities as well as platforms based on product offering.

Businesse owners were also urged to consider complementing travel and accommodation of agents, operators and media in order to sensitise them on the product and destination with personal experience.

Mr Ramsden shared some of the emerging markets such as Brazil, Russia, Sweden and China among others adding that market statistics of 2020 had indicated that United States was one of the highest in terms of premium product in the northern region of the country.

International travel fairs, he said had also helped a lot in selling the country noting that they had seen a positive outcome from the fairs for the past two years of COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Ramsden noted that they had seen a huge growth of events citing the 4x4 clubs coming up to explore Makgadikgadi area, the Khawa Dune Challenge and cultural event as well as the Makgadikgadi epic which he said pulled skydivers as far as China and Japan.

Threfore, he  urged business owners to consider the calendar event when doing their annual plans so that they benefit from lined up events.

Head of Absa Business Banking, Mr Keletso Setimela emphasised their commitment of putting customers at the centre of everything they do. 

The flora and fauna of Botswana, he said would remain their pride adding that the engagement session called for their continued collaboration, sharing information which would lead to breakthrough interventions which had mutual benefits.

“The hospitality and tourism sector are important areas of focus for us as we note that it is here to stay and has a lot of potential in creating employment for the youth,” said. ENDS