The objective of the Tourism Bill is to re-enact the Tourism Act.
Molepolole South MP and Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) chairman, Daniel Kwelagobe, said foreigners dominate the tourism sector.  "We do not see much of citizen empowerment in this industry," he said.To remedy the situation, Kwelagobe suggested that one of the conditions for issuing licences to tourism operators should be that tenders for providing transport is awarded to Batswana.  He said even laundry services in tourism establishments should be reserved for citizens. 

The MP further suggested that when government awards mobile tourism licences, it should be specified that the operators should be in joint partnership with Batswana.  He said foreign investors cannot be expected to volunteer to go into partnership with Batswana, adding that government should come up with those initiatives.

The MP for Gaborone Central, Dumelang Saleshando, also said most of the viable tourism businesses "are in the hands of foreigners".   He said Batswana only run low value tourism ventures.   "I think we should be more ambitious when it comes to citizen empowerment.  The existing foreigners should know that it is in their interest to make room for Batswana," he said.

Saleshando said some hotels have sub contracted foreign companies jobs that should have been given to Batswana companies.  Saleshando said the tourism sector is predominately a white dominated sector.   Even the tourists themselves are whites.

"We do not participate in terms of investment and as tourists."  He said most of the tourism establishments are not affordable to Batswana.  The booking for some of the establishments is done outside the country. 

Saleshando said that one of the challenges that is facing the preferential treatment for citizens is lack of funds.  He added that all laws that deal with preferential treatment for citizens should impose stiff penalties for those who are abusing the system. 

The MP proposed that fronting should also be regarded as an offence punishable by revoking the licence. 

Saleshando also wants Gaborone to be turned into a tourism city.   He said currently there is not much that the city is offering to attract tourists.  "We have not taken advantage of the Mma-Ramotswe movie.   It is meant to attract tourists to the country."

When presenting the Bill, Acting Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Pelonomi Venson-Moitioi said the current Tourism Act commenced in 1993 and there have been many developments in the tourism industry since then.    Some of the developments included the establishment of the Botswana Tourism Board under the Botswana Tourism Board Act of 2003.  The Board took over some of the functions originally under the Tourism Act.  The Tourism Act was not amended to remove the transferred functions.  

The minister said some changes were approved by cabinet during the course of time, but could not be effected pending the amendment of the Act.She said in view of all these developments as well as changes in the international arena, there was need to review the tourism legislation to bring it at par with the changes.

One of the clauses in the Bill is that of the removal on grading from the Tourism Act due to the fact that the grading function has been transferred to the Botswana Tourism Board. 

Secondly, the dissolution of the Tourism Industry Licencing Board and replacing it by establishing the Tourism Industry Licencing Committee.  The committee will assume the functions of considering applications for licences and related matters.

The Bill also introduces a clause, which requires that tourism facilities should meet the minimum of at least one star grading within a period of one year from licensing.  The clause has been introduced because some of the facilities take long to attain the minimum grading standard.  Venson-Moitoi said this compromises the quality of the service rendered as well as tainting the image of the country.

The fourth major issue is the introduction of a clause to introduce issuance of indefinite licenses.  The minister said this is to create a sense of security and instill investor confidence.

It would also reduce annual paper work and numerous meetings of the Licencing Committee.  Instead license holders would pay annual fees.The Bill goes on to include revocation and suspension clauses.  The current Tourism Act is not specific on these aspects.

The Bill also proposes introduction of a clause empowering the minister to make regulations from time to time.  This includes, where necessary, reserving certain tourist enterprises for citizens only or wholly citizen owned companies.  The Bill also introduces creation of more categories of licences.  This is aimed at unpacking the current categories of enterprises in order to allow more players.

The Bill proposes the inclusion of a requirement for all guest houses to be licenced regardless of the scale of operation.  The Minister told parliament that this is to close a loophole, where one person can operate several exempted guest houses in the same city or village, which jointly have enough rooms as a lodge or hotel.