07 Nov 2023

Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) has been commended for the initiative to encourage Batswana to explore the country and enjoy its rich tourism products.

Wilderness Safari’s chief of staff, Mr Dawson Ramsden praised the domestic travel tourism initiative undertaken by BTO across the country during a cocktail party following its launch at the new Delta Palm Mall in Maun. 

He said the plan helped locals to appreciate and tell stories about what the country offered. 

The country, he said, had unique tourism destinations such as the Tsodilo Hills, Makgadikgadi Pans and the famous Okavango Delta, but that many citizens had not visited the sites because they did not know about them while others thought travelling was expensive.

Mr Ramsden said they offered affordable packages, but that there were a lot of myths surrounding the tourism industry such as that it was reserved for a few operators. 

He expressed hope that the campaign would remedy the perception, as locals would interact with tourism operators and get a better understanding of the industry.

Mr Ramsden also said the initiative would not only encourage domestic travel, but also revitalise the industry. 

He also said it would give the captains of the tourism industry time to network and learn the needs of domestic travellers.

He urged tourism operators to network, collaborate and advice each other on how best they could diversify their product, adding that there were other untapped opportunities in cultural and sport tourism.

“We should appreciate that our athletes have put our country on the international stage and we need to start capitalising on them to promote sport tourism beyond where it is now,” he said.

For his part, BTO development officer in Maun, Mr Thatayaone Mmapatsi said the campaign was successful as it brought together various government departments, the private sector and tourism operators to sell their services and products.

Many international travellers, he said, visited the area to enjoy tourism sites, but that they wanted to entice Batswana to explore various destinations across the country.  

“We want them to change their mindset and discover the huge benefits of adventure as well as take advantage of affordable packages offered by our operators,” he said. Ends