26 Feb 2024

The FNB Kazungula Bridge marathon has been lauded as a profitable venture generating wealth for Chobe District. 

The Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) Impact and performance Survey 2023 revealed that hospitality and accommodation facilities experienced a 439 percent increase in turnover during the Kazungula Bridge Marathon.

It further stated that in average one person participating in the marathon spent P9 438 in accommodations, transport, food leisure, shopping and entertainment during the marathon weekend in Chobe. Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the marathon over the weekend, 

Minister for Justice and MP for Chobe Mr Machana Shamukuni stated that the marathon had evolved over the past three years since its inception as service providers in Chobe benefitted from business opportunities it presented.

He said the tourism and hospitality sector experienced a boost over this period with all hotels, lodges, campsites and guest houses being fully booked. 

Mr Shamukuni said there was an Influx into Chobe National Park for game drives and boat cruises during a marathon weekend. However, he pointed out that there was need to integrate the cultural component into this product offering so that Chobe culture took centre stage and showcased the diversity of the region. 

The minister made a call to Chobe residents to stand up and draft proposals that would help promote the marathon as a product and submit the proposals to the event’s organisers for partnerships.

For his part the Assistant Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture Mr Buti Billy reiterated that all sectors of economy were fully benefiting from Chobe being hosts to the FNBKBM spectacle. 

He said with Botswana positioning to be a destination of excellence for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), the marathon was alignment with this strategy to propel Botswana to an events hub.

Mr Billy said there was potential to be unlocked in utilising other sectors such as culture so that an opportunity of hosting over five thousand runners left cultural heritage untapped. 

He said arts and culture being broad required all stakeholders involved to work together in mapping how best to infuse cultural aspect into the marathon.

He said his ministry continued to engage with other ministries to position the FNBKBM on a global scene and attract even more internationals.  ENDS