01 Sep 2022

Different speakers have proposed formulation of Bobirwa tourism master plan to guide tourism in the region.

Speaking during a strategic meeting with Minister of Environment and Tourism and trusts in Bobirwa, one of the speakers, Bobonong legislator Mr Taolo Lucas said his proposal hinged on the findings that there were no plans specific to tourism in the area save for piece meal plans under various departments and ministries. 

He, therefore, called for a body or committee, with requisite departments, specifically focusing on harnessing tourism in the region. 

“Have we not arrived at a level where we can draw our own tourism master plan,” Mr Lucas quizzed.  

Mr Lucas said tourism in Bobirwa should be developed to a higher level based on the great potential and natural resources the area is endowed with. 

“Tourism in Tuli Block is doing very well and we should be leveraging our immediate vicinity with them to catapult ours to their level or closer,” said the MP arguing that tourism operators in Tuli were willing to help catalyze Batswana tourism enterprises. 

The area legislator advocated for a working relationship between tourism operations inside the Tuli and those outside saying the Tuli tourism operators had built a huge database of tourists and subsequent rapport that could be leveraged to help Batswana emerging enterprises. 

He urged Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) to increase their support to tourism ventures such as Lepokole Nature Reserve to help create employment. 

The MP further called for increased taxation for business ventures in the Tuli Block. 

For her part, Minister Philda Kereng said there was need for a comprehensive tourism master plan. She said the district leadership should work on profiling heritage sites and tourism opportunities in the region and subsequently produce a booklet on the same. 

The minister informed the district leadership that tourists were no longer stunned by viewing wild animals, but wanted to live experience and carry home some lasting memories. 

“Yes, we can. We have potential. Let’s prioritise, profile, harmonise and integrate our activities in the region…be quick in packaging Bobirwa” said Ms Kereng.  She said natural resources should be benefiting Batswana by way of creating jobs and thereby improving their livelihoods. 

Although the minister conceded that Bobirwa region faced challenges of problem animals, she called on the leadership to map out cultural festivals and tourism activities that were abreast with and augur well with needs of a tourist of today. 

Minister Kereng held strategic meetings with trusts and district leadership to trigger them into changing their mindsets in regard to tourism and its value chains to cater for tourists post COVID-19 era. ends