President of Botswana urges leveraging technology and inclusivity to propel Africa’s tourism
Africa should take advantage of technology and create platforms for inclusive engagements to define a paradigm for the continent’s travel and tourism sector. This is according to the President of Botswana, who believes that the one of the ways the continent can keep up with the next tourism frontier is to adopt innovation and technology.
Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi said this when he officially opened the 5th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum at the Gaborone International Convention Centre today, October 25 and which he stressed, provides a good platform to think about smart ways of driving tourism.
“The 2022 event challenges us to work smarter as Africa taking
advantage of technology, as well as ensuring maximum returns on
investment in the tourism industry. Having gone through the list of
speakers I am confident that we will conclude the 2022 event with a
robust implementable plan for the betterment of the lives of our
people,” he said.
The President underscored the significance of sector stakeholders working together for the common good of Africa’s tourism.
He opined: “Our Continent is renowned for its beauty and the quality
of establishments and high service excellence. Now more than ever
before, we must continue to maintain this enviable reputation. However,
to harness this potential we have to work together. The only way to
achieve success and unprecedented tourism growth, and job creation, is
by coming together, capitalizing on each other’s strengths and working
as one. This I believe will get the tourism industry back to its pre
pandemic and 2019 performance levels, which we hope should be reached by
2024.”
Dr. Masisi also advocated for the adaptation of inclusive approaches to nurturing Africa’s tourism economy.
“Tourism has a deep and wide value chain, which offers many Small Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) opportunities, and we should look at opportunities to enhance value chains amongst ourselves as Africans. Africa should also nurture its tourism economy so that it promotes inclusive growth, so that those who were previously disadvantaged are empowered in a meaningful way, which includes unlocking the true potential of SMMEs,” he emphasised.
