Tourism remains top agenda for Government
Despite the turbulence that adversely affected the tourism industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, government is geared up to improve tourism development in the country.
The Minister of Finance, Peggy Serame, announcing the proposed budget for 2023/2024 said tourism remains an integral part of economic growth and development.
“Government is therefore, committed to ensuring that the aspirations of the Tourism Policy of 2021 are attained,” said Serame.
The 2021 policy promotes active citizen participation in the tourism sector, through adaptation of the value chain business and is underpinned by the principles of citizen economic empowerment, job creation, tourism product diversification and investment growth.
Serame said to attain the policy’s aspiration, implementation of the National Tourism Strategy and Master Plan which spans the decade 2023-2033, will drive the ambition.
In addition, Serame said government is to facilitate the implementation through budgetary provisions allocated to continue upgrading infrastructure in the Kasane-Kazungula Tourism areas. She said the government will also construct two entrance gates at Khawa and Tsetseng as a way of improving infrastructure in protected areas for tourist attraction purposes. “Further, new tourism sites will be made available to support tourism land ownership by citizens in the Kasane-Kazungula Tourism area,” said Serame. Observations on the tourism industry highlight that COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on operators with a number of smaller players forced to cease trading and larger players deferring the planned expansion. For example, Cresta Marakanelo’s growth plans were almost derailed by COVID-19 pandemic, though the company has remained resilient and Board Chair of Cresta Marakanelo, Moatlhodi Lekaukau is on record announcing the company escaped the threat. “We managed to navigate,” said Lekaukau. Cresta recently completed construction of Cresta Mahalapye South Wing for over P45 million and furnished for P20 million the 60-room South Wing, adds to the existing North Wing, bringing the total room inventory to 124 rooms.