Multiple strategies to boost domestic tourism
BTO conducts capacity building workshops for communities
Multiple high level strategies have been put in place in order to boost local tourism which was heavily compromised following the outbreak of the COVID- 19.
Amongst such initiatives, but not limited to, are destination promotions which continues to be done through different media platforms targeting the local market. During COVID- 19 travel restrictions; special dispensation in the form of special holiday permits was implemented, and the Botswana Tourism Organisation ( BTO) invited industry players through public media to register various local tourism packages for publishing in the annual Sales Guide and Packages brochure. Packages included in the brochure are discounted to attract the local market to travel the country.
Acting Minister in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Setlhabelo
Modukanele told Parliament when answering a question by Member of Parliament for Tati West, Simon Moabi that the industry is encouraged to extend reduced rates to the local market and this is done eventually at the discretion of the operator, based on their operational costs. He further said travel by the local market is further stimulated through events.
Modukanele said his Ministry recognises the importance of the local market in boosting domestic tourism. The resurgence of the tourism industry has to this end been a result of concerted efforts of the Ministry through BTO and the private sector through the Tourism Associations, as well as tour operators. He said facilitation has therefore been done to ensure that the private sector is able to sell packages and hosts guests.
On partnership initiatives, Modukanele said to this end, his ministry through BTO, has partnered with local events promoters for the publishing of a local calendar of events which will facilitate ease of planning by the local market to various events for the year 2022. He gave an example of the recent FNB Kazungula bridge marathon, which is one of the latest events that his ministry supported and observed spill over economic benefit to the Chobe region. Modukanele said his Ministry through BTO develops and
implements joint venture Community Based Natural Resource Management ( CBNRM) projects across the country as part of local economic development and conservation through tourism development.
Further, that the Ministry has made a deliberate and strategic decision to reserve tourism zones and sites at Letsibogo, Thune and Shashe Dams for the already existing Community Based Organisations ( CBOs) located near the respective dams as part of ensuring that these communities benefit from the Dams Tourism initiative. He said that workshops were conducted for Mmadinare Development Trust, MOLEMA Community Trust and Mmandunyane Development Trust respectively in 2021. These workshops were aimed at capacitating local communities on the tourism investment in the dams, as well as the possible investment models that can be adopted for the disposal of their tourism sites.
Modukanele shared that in the new financial year 2022/ 23, his Ministry through BTO will initiate capacity building workshops for communities as part of the implementation of the Botswana Eco- Tourism certification standards and the Botswana Bureau of Standards ( BOBS), which will assist the communities to better manage their respective community projects.