04 Sep 2023

Maun needs a robust tourism development strategy that will position the area as a tourism hub of choice.

North West District councillors made the remarks during a special full council after a presentation on the National Development Plan (NDP12) and District Development Plan (DDP 9) projects/programmes proposals.

While they approved the plan, they said a lot needed to be done in terms of coming up with initiatives that would help brand Maun as a tourism hub and attract travelers to stay in Maun before transiting to the prestigious Okavango Delta.

Although, they appreciated project proposals in the plan that aimed to promote the tourism growth, they said the government had not given Maun the priority and resources to reach its full potential in terms of development and diversifying product offered, stating that the area had a lot to offer in terms of cultural and sport tourism.

Councillors were informed that the District Development Committee (DDC) had proposed some of the projects/programmes such as consultancy service for brand Maun strategy as a tourism hub; consultancy service for design of recreational water leisure park.

Others included consultancy service for design of an integrated sports academy and consultancy service, design and reconstruction of Rileys Bridge to encourage transit across the Thamalakane River bridges.

Traditionally, they said, tourism had been more about hospitality facilities and abundant wildlife in the delta, adding that development of attraction structures in Maun were equally important as they would make travelers enjoy, spend more days and their revenue in the village.

Cllr for Khwai/Mababe, Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotlho, acknowledged that the project proposals in the plan were not new, stating that even the Tourism Master Plan of 2000 outlined the guidelines for development of tourism in the country.

The plan, he said, could address most of the challenges faced by tourism operators as well as ensure sustainable tourism.

Mr Ntsogotlho said: “The plan has four tourism development options and the government opted for the fourth one that talks about a modified high volume/mixed price model.

“It is only that we cannot take a robust approach to implement the plan and make Maun a destination of choice.”

He said it seemed like the government was not taking the plan serious and yet it could take the industry to greater heights as it could position Maun and the country as an investment hub in which local operators could market their products locally, instead of attending trade shows outside the country such as Indaba to market their products.

“We want Maun to be a meeting, incentives, conferences and exhibition destination as that will also attract foreign investment and eventually create employment opportunities for our people,” he added.

Cllr Ntlogelang Kebonyekgotla of Boyei said tourism from the region was one of the country’s cardinal economic sectors that contributed to government revenue but developments to brand Maun as a tourism of choice were lacking behind.

“We need financial support and commitment from the government to enhance our area and benefit the community and I believe that if the proposed projects can be prioritized and implemented, indeed they can make a difference,” he added.

Cllr for Sehithwa/Kareng, Mr Petrus Tjetjoo, said Maun was one of the best places for tourism and service centre due to green features such as rivers and multi-ethnic diversity

Earlier, the Acting Chief Physical Planner, Mr Lesang Setimela, noted that in the previous plan, the community also proposed Thamalakane Riverfront revitalization but did not implement it because of financial constraints.

Mr Setimela pointed out that Maun was a gate way to the delta and to brand and position it as a tourism hub needed a strategy to exploit other tourism opportunities such as arts and culture.

The Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO), he said, had indicated that tourism in the area was safari based hence DDC proposed some key programmes such as promotion of arts and culture because the region prided itself with rich and diverse cultures.

On other proposed projects in the plan included consultancy services for design of an integrated sports academy.

Mr Setimela argued that the region had produced a lot of heroes and heroines in sports fraternity who had raised the country’s flag high and believed that the facility could unearth more talent and eventually promote sport tourism. ENDS