27 Apr 2026

Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) plays a catalytic role in mobilising and structuring investment into the tourism sector, in line with the national priority of driving private sector led growth, and the broader vision to transform Botswana into a major international destination and hub for investment by 2036.

BTO Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Justice Ofentse said during a media engagement organised by Machaba Safaris in collaboration with the organisation appreciating BTOs goal of amplifying Botswana’s footprint, creating visibility for tourism products and opening doors for growth across the sector.

What the organisation was doing, he said, went beyond promotion to actively unlocking and facilitating investment towards strategic developments by leveraging the natural assets to open up new concessions, utilising strategic locations such as trade corridors for the creation of tourism hubs, unlocking value of existing national infrastructure such as dams to develop viable tourism products, for a more diversified and investment ready tourism sector.

“In doing so, we are consistently addressing critical enablers such as the progression of lease renewals, strengthening security of land tenure, and streamlining sub leasing frameworks, all of which are essential to building investor confidence.

 I am pleased to share that the organisation is also advancing more innovative approaches to collaboration and co-investment, including mechanisms that enable the private sector to participate in funding key instruments such as Land Use Management Plans, which are critical to guiding sustainable development and safeguarding our natural assets,” he added. 

Mr Ofentse further stated that through such efforts, they were creating a more responsive and investor ready environment that balanced commercial viability with sustainability and community participation, ensuring that tourism investment delivered a lasting value for the country

Sustainability, he said remained at the core of everything they did as the organisation noting that they continued to strengthen responsible tourism through their eco- certification programmes, destination planning initiatives and close collaboration with industry to ensure that tourism growth protected the country’s natural heritage while delivering tangible benefits to local communities.

 In that regard, he highlighted Botswana’s active participation in global sustainability platforms, including the ongoing Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) 2026 Conference.

“Our engagement at this forum reinforces Botswana’s commitment internationally, recognised sustainability standards, knowledge exchange, and best practice while firmly positioning our destination as a global leader in sustainable tourism development.”

Mr Ofentse said Maun, as the gateway to the Okavango Delta, continued to play a pivotal role in this journey. 

“It is here that many visitors begin their exploration of one of the world’s most unique ecosystems,” he said.

But beyond the delta, Mr Ofentse said the organisation was equally committed to showcasing lesser-known destinations, places rich in heritage, culture, and adventure, ensuring that the benefits of tourism were shared more widely across the country.

However, he appreciated the media saying its role in shaping the narrative of Botswana could not be overstated. Media practitioners, he said, were not just storytellers but ambassadors of the country’s landscapes, culture, and people adding that “through your platforms, the beauty and authenticity of Botswana reach audiences across the world, pushing our tourism product far beyond our borders and into key international markets.”

Machaba Safaris stakeholder relations manager, Mr Tuelo Ramontshonyana also appreciated that the media played a crucial role in tourism by shaping destination images, significantly increasing awareness in destination and underscored the need to engage with different houses so that they understood what exactly the industry offered.

While the company was operating lodges in Botswana and Zimbabwe and situated in prime areas, he said it was important to note that the company was also committed to protecting wildlife and uplifting local communities.

The company, he said constantly strove towards creating lasting change in terms of implementing sustainable developments that benefited the community.

“Partnerships and collaboration of these are essential as we work together to position our country as a leading, sustainable tourism destination,” he said.  ends