Revised Tourism policy promotes citizen participation
The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism launched the revised Tourism Policy to coincide with the World Tourism Day commemorations on the 27th of September 2022.
Tourism is a key sector of Botswana’s economy and contributes to improved livelihoods, inclusion, cultural heritage and natural resources conservation. The revised Policy was first approved by the National Assembly on 14 April 2021 and additional amendments were made this year. The Policy document released recently aims to drive implementation of changes in the tourism sector to promote active participation of citizens in the industry, encourage diversification of tourism product including cultural tourism, support promotion of domestic tourism and the development of tourism value chains. The reviewed policy will allow the sector to comprehensively address the broader tourism objectives to create an enabling environment to enhance competitiveness of
Botswana as a tourism destination and encourage the growth of private sector initiatives in the sector.
The policy document notes that Government and the private sector should work more effectively in building a strong institutional framework to implement the revised policy and to foster innovation and business development. Botswana is endowed with diverse and abundant wildlife and wilderness resources. These resources are sought after by tourists globally, and also strongly compliment the global tourism trend towards greater environmental awareness and the need to experience nature in its original state. In addition to the pristine wilderness and wildlife, Botswana tourism has indigenous cultural practices and knowledge that offer diverse leisure enjoyment. In Botswana, tourism plays a significant role in the economy with comparatively high visitor population ratios and a significant contribution to GDP. Through the elaboration of a Tourism Satellite Account for Botswana by the UN World Trade Organisation, it was estimated that tourism directly contributed 4.9 - 7.6 percent to the national GDP. Minister Philda Kereng noted in the Policy document that significant changes in the tourism environment during the past two decades made the policy revision necessary.
“The policy changes follow a strong regulatory and public interventionist approach. Various aspects of the policy have become outdated through having either been implemented or having been overtaken by events and changes in the tourism environment,” Kereng said.