12 Feb 2023

Parliament recently learnt of separate nation park entrance fees for citizens, SADC nationals and non-citizens.

Responding to a question in Parliament recently, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Ms Philda Kereng said fees were further structured for vehicles, boats and aircraft depending on whether the mode of transport was Botswana or foreign registered.

Ms Kereng said the last time the fees were increased was in 2000 which translated into 22 years since the last review.

“This was despite the increase in the costs of maintaining the park infrastructure over the past 22 years, thus it was for the aforementioned reason that the fees were increased,” she said.

She said the revised park fees on guides and operators were effected in April last year and therefore statistics to prove its financial impact would not be readily available.

She added that the ministry deeply consulted prior to the fees increase and the issue was raised in one of Maun meetings last year.

Again, she said consultation within government to waive the payment of fees by employees was at an advanced stage.

She further stated that the park facilities would be equally maintained with resources realised through park fees.

Maun West MP, Mr Dumelang Saleshando had asked the minister to update Parliament on the magnitude of the increase to all fees contained in the regulations under Statutory Instrument No. 3 of 2021 and their impact on the tourism industry. Ends