23 Jun 2026

The North West District has issued more than 1 000 tourism licences to mobile safari operators, accommodation establishments and travel agencies as of March 2026, underlining the sector’s rapid expansion.  

Updating a full council meeting on tourism development, District Council Chairperson Mr Itumeleng Kelebetseng praised citizens for embracing tourism entrepreneurship and driving growth in what he called ‘the backbone of the district’ for local livelihoods and regional development.  

Mr Kelebetseng said the Ministry of Environment and Tourism had begun reviewing the Tourism Act, with a stakeholder consultation meeting planned in Maun before the end of July 2026.  

“This meeting will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to strengthening Botswana’s tourism regulatory framework as well as to ensure the new laws reflect current industry demands,” he told councillors.  

The review seeks to modernise legislation, boost the sector’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product, and increase citizen participation and local investment.  
Mr Kelebetseng said the district was drafting a Local Economic Development (LED) strategy to outline investment opportunities across communities and set long-term economic priorities.  

“Central to this exercise is full community participation so that the mapping of local resources will be done adequately,” Kelebetseng said. He called on residents to support community engagements led by the LED technical task team and community development officers.  

The resulting Local Economic Assessment report will form the foundation of the strategy, hence  Mr Kelebetseng urged councillors to take keen interest in the process.  

Furthermore, the chairperson also reported that the area around the mall was now fully illuminated, enhancing safety for residents and visitors. Illegal advertising structures, he said,were being removed to promote orderly development, with business operators encouraged to comply with existing bye-laws.  

He reaffirmed that the district remained open for business and ready to support investment initiatives. Mr Kelebetseng  internal road projects were advancing, including internal road works valued at P1.7 million and P2 million respectively.  ENDS