11 Mar 2026

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism continues to exemplify commitment to diversification, citizen empowerment and positioning Botswana as a competitive and inclusive tourism destination. 

To this end, Minster of Environment and Tourism, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi said the ministry had completed the Mohembo Bridge Infill Tourism Layout. Presenting the ministry’s 2026/27 budget request, he said for the current financial year, they had completed an investment feasibility study for the six priority tourism sites which confirmed that the sites could be financially viable, releasing 130 hectares of land for investment. 

In addition to the feasibility study, he said the ministry, in conjunction with Tawana Land Board, was currently assessing 15 remaining properties affected by Mohembo Bridge Tourism layout. He said compensation for relocation, estimated at P1.4 million, was expected to be completed in the 2026/27 financial year.

Furthermore, he said through promotion of private sector led economy, the ministry was imploring stakeholders to partner with government to develop and package urban experiences alongside the heritage and cultural products. 

“Building on this momentum, plans are underway to extend City Tourism initiative to Maun, Kasane, Lobatse and Selebi Phikwe during the 2026/27 financial year to ensure that every urban centre contributed meaningfully to diversification, employment creation and improved livelihoods," he said/

In fulfilment of citizen inclusion in the tourism sector, Mr Mmolotsi said the ministry strived to make tourism investment land available in Chobe, Gaborone and Okavango Districts. 

In Chobe, he said the development of land parcels under the Kasane/Kazungula Redevelopment Project (KKRP) would introduce new hotels and recreational facilities, expand room and space capacity while stimulating the local economy of Kasane and enhancing the Chobe tourism offering.

In Gaborone, Mr Mmolotsi said the Block 7 Tourism Precinct presented an opportunity to integrate urban regeneration with tourism in the capital city, creating vibrant mixed-use spaces that combine hospitality, retail, cultural attractions  and heritage. 

Regarding research and development, he said was regulating and facilitating research and wildlife filming activities across protected areas, wildlife management zones, forest reserves, cultural heritage sites and national monuments. As at January 2026, he said 105 out of 218 research applications and 43 out of 98 filming permits were approved. 

“These permits are more than administrative instruments; they enable scientific inquiry, promote conservation, filming and showcase Botswana’s cultural and natural heritage to the world, while also contributing to the national economy,” he said. 

Regarding Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM), Mr Mmolotsi said the ministry was facilitating joint ventures between community trusts and investors to advance cultural and geographical tourism diversification in the Kgalagadi region. 

He added that flagship projects included the Phuduhudu Cultural Village, Khuis Tourism Park and development of a lodge in Khawa, all of which would showcase indigenous knowledge and crafts. Consequently, Parliament approved the proposed 2026/27 total budget allocation for the ministry amounting to over P1 billion to finance both the recurrent and development budget. 

The largest share of recurrent budget is proposed to be allocated to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks at a sum of P379.2 million, while the second largest share of P216.9 million would go to the ministry headquarters.

The development budget totals P178.6 million for the 2026/2027 financial year and is intended to support 20 projects spanning the five programmes that included infrastructure development programme, which mainly covered the Kasane/Kazungula Redevelopment Project at P85.8 million to ensure completion of ongoing works.

The budget would also entail conservation and protection initiatives targeting wildlife species, their habitats and mitigation of human wildlife conflict and would require the second-largest allocation of P44 million.

Projects aimed at environmental protection and safeguarding natural resources would be supported with P18.8 million, while P10 million would fund digitisation of data and services to meet international standards and strengthen systems and platforms for improved revenue collection. BOPA