Botswana: Ministry to Revive Tourism Sector
The Minister of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism Ms Philda Kereng says her ministry is in the process of reviving the tourism sector. Speaking during the COVID-19 media updates on June 2, she said they had to think outside the box to ensure that they mitigate the negative effects brought about by COVID-19 pandemic.
Amongst the plans is utilising unused infrastructure to give them a face-lift so that Batswana can utilise them to make a living. These are Ngoma old camp, Diphuduhudu and BORAVAST community trusts that will be developed so that Batswana can start reaping the fruits in the tourism sector.
The minister said they would be looking at Citizen Economic Empowerment (CEE) especially in the tourism sector, saying plans were already underway to see where locals could fit in and make a living. She revealed that their target market was individual business people and community trusts, including other marginalised groups such as women and youth.
"We have to come up with ways that will encourage local tourism so that Batswana can start making money while at the same time sustaining the sector," he said.
Events such as Khawa Dune challenge, Dithubaruba cultural festival are some, which might be held in August depending on whether the country has managed to control the disease or not, she noted. Ms Kereng said that plans were also under way to encourage diversification of tourism through Agro-tourism, which would include game farming.
Furthermore, she said the ministry was also looking at availing some hunting concessions to locals so that they could earn a living by as early as December 2020, adding that they also wanted to increase the camp sites in different national parks, which would be reserved for locals who offer local cuisine.
She said the Kasane-Kazungula redevelopment project would also help the inhabitants of the two villages as they were looking to give them a face-lift to attract tourists.
Source: BOPA
