Resurgent tourism sector shakes off pandemic woes
Botswana’s vibrant tourism sector is wiggling out of the throes of the global Covid- 19 pandemic and is working towards its recovery and resurgence.
Botswana Tourism Organisation Interim Board Chairperson, Wincey Ramaphoi acknowledged the “unprecedented challenges”, that the tourism sector encountered amid the global pandemic.
“We have learned to adapt, to innovate, and to come together as an industry to navigate these turbulent times,” she said.
Originally designed as a travel and tourism trade show since its inception in 2013, the annual event - BTTE - aims to provide international agents with hands- on experiences of Botswana’s tourism product and terrain.
The gathering brings together esteemed international buyers and local operators to discuss, network, share experiences, and potentially seal business deals.
Through business- to- business ( B2B) sessions and interactive workshops conducted by local experts, the expo creates business and capacity- building opportunities.
“Our main objective in using this platform is to promote other forms of tourism such as Culture, Heritage, Sports, Religion, MICE - ( Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), Game Farming, Research, Astro- tourism, and Agrotourism,” the acting Minister of Environment and Tourism Nancy Makwinja said.
Under the Transformation Agenda, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism focuses on driving citizen economic empowerment, employment creation, making Botswana a MICE Hub, promoting heritage and cultural tourism, product diversification, and infrastructure development.
Highlighting the commitment to citizen economic empowerment, Minister Makwinja referred to the Presidential Directive on tourism development of 2019.
In 2021, the RESET Agenda outlined five pivotal priorities, including safeguarding against COVID- 19, digitisation initiatives, value chain development, and transformative mindset shifts.
In alignment with these priorities, Parliament adopted the National Tourism Policy in 2022, and in 2023, the Ministry produced a Draft National Tourism Strategy and Master Plan, operationalising the Policy’s key objectives.
Acknowledging the resilience of the tourism sector after the impact of COVID- 19, Makwinja commended the industry’s growth in 2023. She attributed this success to the collective efforts of stakeholders and individuals in various tourismrelated sectors.
Tourism serves as a bridge for learning, collaboration, appreciation, and mutual respect, promoting cultural diversity and contributing to global peace and prosperity.
In urging collaboration between the public and private sectors, Acting Minister Makwinja emphasised the need for aggressive marketing and promotion with a unified message and voice.
The goal is to share the magic of Botswana with the world, emphasising unique experiences, natural wonders, and a commitment to conservation and responsible tourism.