27 Oct 2022

The strides Botswana made in the tourism sector at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic has earned Minister of Environment and Tourism, Ms Phildah Kereng recognition by the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum.

Ms Kereng was bestowed with the Special Recognition Award during the organisation’s 5th forum and awards ceremony held in Gaborone on Wednesday.

The award is for spearheading a new tourism policy that promotes citizen participation, citizen economic empowerment, job creation, tourism diversification and investment.

In her acceptance speech, Ms Kereng said the ministry had ambitious tourism targets, both for domestic and international travel markets. 

She  said government was working to ensure that tourism was rooted at the local  level in order to promote ownership by communities with particular emphasis on rural community development.

About the awards, Ms Kereng said, they ensured that winners’ names were engraved in tourism journals.In the case of Botswana, the recognition would contribute towards realisation of the country’s vision of being a tourism destination of choice.Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) chief executive officer, Ms Lilly Rakorong thanked the tourism leadership forum organisers for bringing the event to Botswana.

“Events like these are large contributors to the revenue of businesses like the one housing us today, hence we need a robust country marketing strategy to position our facilities as leading tourism destination capable of hosting international events as we have shown now,” said Ms Rakorong.She implored African tourism leaders to collaborate with the world and bring stakeholders together to help inform the process of doing businesses. 

That would also ensure that planning decisions were made using relevant and accurate information, said Ms Rakorong adding that the move would also increase Africa’s international ratings in business.

Africa Tourism Partners chief executive officer, Mr Kwakye Donkor said the continent needed to be promoted as a globally competitive service economy.   

Africa had to be positioned as a destination of choice in terms of product offering, innovation and service excellence, he added.

Mr Donkor said for this year’s awards,  over 160 nominations were received, the highest number since inception in 2018.

The awards are in recognition of change-makers and innovation pioneers in Africa intra-travel tourism, hospitality, aviation and related industries. 

They also recognise tourism leaders in sustainability, service excellence and innovation as well as celebrate industry players who have been consistent in enhancing visitor experiences in the continent.

Botswana has committed to host the next three Africa Tourism Leadership Forum and Awards meetings.ENDS