05 Mar 2023

The Expression of Interest (EOI) for the development of eight lodges along the Chobe River Front within the Chobe National Park is currently at evaluation stage.

Answering a question in Parliament recently, Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Beauty Manake, said internal consultations were ongoing on the proposed development following concerns that were raised by various interested groups and members of the community in Chobe on the proposed use of the park.

“The EOI had since been put in abeyance to accommodate concerns raised by the industry. Therefore we cannot state with any degree of certainty as to how the outcome would be at the end of the consultative process,” she said. Ms Manake, who was answering on behalf of Minister of Environment and Tourism, added that the EOI process coukld not be concluded until the concerns were addressed and currently there were no changes to the planned development.

“The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has committed to enabling citizens to actively participate in the tourism industry and will continue to pursue the policy stance,” she said.

Lobatse MP, Dr Thapelo Matsheka, had asked the minister to give an update on the progress since an invitation for EOI for the development of eight lodge sites along the Chobe River Front was issued.

Dr Matsheka also wanted to know if the ministry was still proceeding with the development and when the process was expected to conclude. 

He further asked the minister to explain the changes in the planned development as well as implications for the tourism sector and citizen inclusion in the industry. ends