23 Jul 2026

Stakeholders in Kgalagadi have called for amendments to the Tourism Act of 2009, saying the changes should create a more inclusive, flexible and sustainable tourism industry capable of unlocking economic opportunities for rural communities.

The proposals were made recently during a consultative meeting on the review of the Tourism Act under the National Tourism Strategy and Masterplan 2023–2033.

Principal Tourism Officer, Ms Mmathapelo Laletsang, said the consultations were aimed at gathering public views on strengthening the legislation, addressing existing loopholes and ensuring that it responds to the evolving tourism landscape.

They are also expected to inform amendments to the Tourism Act aimed at creating a more responsive legal framework that promotes innovation, investment and inclusive tourism development across Botswana.

Springbok Motel manager, Mr Sidney Baitsile, said the current Act no longer reflected the realities of the country’s tourism industry, noting that while the sector had evolved, the legal framework had remained largely unchanged.

He proposed the introduction of a multi-activity tourism hub licence, which would allow accommodation establishments to offer complementary services such as event hosting, transport, laundry and vehicle rental under a single licence.

Mr Baitsile said the current requirement of separate licences for each activity increased operational costs and limited business growth, particularly for small operators in districts such as Kgalagadi.

He also recommended the introduction of temporary event permits for cultural festivals, astro-tourism activities and community markets, saying this would enable communities to generate income from their cultural heritage and tourism attractions without first investing in permanent tourism infrastructure. To encourage youth participation, Mr Baitsile proposed a phased licensing framework that would allow aspiring entrepreneurs to register their businesses, receive training and mentorship, obtain provisional licences and eventually qualify for full licences. He said such an approach would lower barriers to entry while promoting compliance with tourism regulations.

Recognising the challenges faced by rural investors, Mr Baitsile further suggested extending the period within which tourism projects must commence operations.

He said rural projects were often delayed by infrastructure constraints, including poor road access, water supply challenges and grant funding processes, and therefore required longer implementation periods than developments in urban areas.

He further urged government to modernise the Tourism Act by introducing new tourism categories to accommodate emerging sectors such as event tourism, digital tourism platforms and complementary tourism services. In addition, he recommended that tourism regulations be reviewed every five years to ensure the legislation kept pace with changes in the industry.

Meanwhile, Kgosi David Toto attributed the slow growth of tourism in Tsabong region partly to the inadequate preservation of tourism facilities and attractions.

He stressed the need to protect and maintain tourism sites to preserve their cultural, historical and environmental value for future generations.

Kgosi Toto said stronger protection measures would enhance visitor experiences while safeguarding Botswana’s tourism assets. Also speaking at the meeting, Ms Rachel Esterhuizen emphasised the need for greater recognition and inclusion of local communities in efforts to transform the tourism sector. She said meaningful community participation would foster a sense of ownership and ensure that local people directly benefited from tourism ventures. ends