20 Nov 2022

Government has been urged to consider allocating more campsites to Botswana Guides Association (BOGA) in the famous Okavango Delta to promote citizen participation in the tourism industry.

The call was made by BOGA chairperson, Mr Kenson Kgaga responding to some comments raised by the acting minister of Environment and Tourism, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele who indicated that government had allocated 67 sites to the association’s members to date.

Besides permanent sites, he said government allocated temporary campsites to BOGA as and when they requested.

However, Mr Kgaga argued that campsites should not be allocated to individuals but rather to the association to benefit the entire membership. Campsites allocated to BOGA, he said had contributed significantly to tourism growth and urged government to consider allocating more sites in the delta so that members could venture into tourism activities such as boat excursions. He said allocating campsites through tendering process was a challenge because many could not afford as they were competing with well-established companies.

Mr Kgaga also appreciated government decision to develop eight lodges on the Chobe Riverfront but said the area was not ideal for such infrastructure as it was situated in the park.

“”The developments will disturb wildlife and other tourism activities,” he said.

On other issues, Mr Kgaga complained of the bad roads in the national parks and game reserves.

He said  government had promised  to procure graders but there was no improvement saying the situation derailed their efforts to grow the industry. 

Mr Kgaga said increased park fees affected their businesses. 

The increase of fees, he said was a serious blow to tourism industry especially to those operating mobile safaris as they depended much on international market to sustain their businesses.

Despite the challenges, Mr Kgaga applauded governments in its efforts to cushion tourism operators during COVID 19.  

Interventions such as the Industry Support Facility (ISF) Fund noting that it was unfortunate as some of BOGA members did not benefit from the financial assistance as they could not meet some of the set requirements.

With regard to the issue of roads, acting minister Mr Modukanele noted that the ministry had procured six brand new graders which had since been deployed to protected areas among others to repair the internal roads.

Other important infrastructure to benefit from the machinery, the minister said were Savuti and Xakanaka airstrips noting that the ministry had also mobilized significant resources such as bull dozer, a roller and water bowser which in addition to the mentioned grader would improve maintenance of infrastructure.

The minister further revealed that the ministry through Botswana Tourism  Organization was currently facilitating three community trusts in Maun Administrative Authority which had been provided with concessions for tourism development and operation.

“The trusts are expected to source investors who would develop and operate facilities and activities in those concessions. The beneficiary trusts are Shorobe Development Trust in NG35, Xhauxhwatubi Development Trust in NG49 and Mababe Zokotsama Community Development Trust in NG41,” he said.

BOGA is an association spearheading citizen empowerment in the tourism industry. It promotes the development of locally based tour and safari industry in Botswana and assist in job creation. ends