Chobe National Park sites attract local interest

Over two hundred locally owned businesses have applied for tourism sites in the Chobe National Park to develop and operate lodging facilities.

The development comes after government put out an expression of interest floated last month seeking companies to bid for tourism sites.

“A total of 220 registered participants attended the site visit and tender evaluation is still ongoing of which it is expected to be finalized by June 2022,” said a statement from the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism. According to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, the sites form part of the proposed projects within the Chobe National Park management plan 2021 to 2026, which are meant to increase the socioeconomic benefits, the park offers to citizens. In addition, authorities have emphasized that measures will be taken to maintain the integrity of the ecological system of the Park whilst ensuring great citizen empowerment and economic beneficiation through local participation in the tourism industry. The development is expected to allow Batswana to benefit from their natural resources and diversify economic beneficiation with the ultimate goal of improving their livelihood through tourism.

Last month, government invited citizen-owned companies and consortiums to submit proposals for development and operation of eight tourism sites within Chobe National Park, for a lease period of 50 years.

The successful bidders will be required to develop and operate a facility with a maximum of 50 rooms and a maximum of 75 beds at each site.

Meanwhile, the developers will be required to carry out detailed environmental impact assessments (EIA) to protect the integrity of the sites in line with the revised Environmental Assessment Act of 2020 and associated environment Assessments regulations.