Botswana woos Middle East tourists
Pauline Dikuelo | Tuesday January 25, 2022 06:00
The conference gathered key stakeholders from across the Middle East and focused on travel and tourism as well as investment opportunities in Botswana. It officially launched the ‘destination Botswana’ campaign attracting over 70 delegates amongst them being the Middle East investors and visitors. Botswana Tourism Sundowner networking at end of the tourism conference showcased the culture, food, song and dance of Botswana to experience the feel of the loved country and its welcoming people.
Speaking at the engagement, the Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Philda Kereng said Botswana is known for its exclusive experiences, dramatic wildlife encounters, picturesque landscapes and off-grid vacations. “The country boasts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Tsodilo Hills with the rock art filled spiritual sites, and the Okavango Delta which is the desert’s unexpected wetland wonder. It is not by coincidence that Botswana hosts the world’s largest elephant population. The country’s high-value and low-volume tourism escapades are focused on minimising the negative environmental impacts,” she said.
Kereng added that the country has also seen substantial growth in business and investment opportunities due to its stable political environment. She said government together with the tourism industry stakeholders developed Tourism Industry COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all tourist enterprises.
Through the use of these SOPs, the tourism industry has committed to protect their health and that of travelers to ensure their readiness to host the tourists. “Botswana is a promising destination for both business and leisure, and today boasts some of the world’s most pristine safari experiences, hotels, entertainment facilities and malls,” she added. Throughout the month, Botswana Tourism has lined-up a variety of executive and cultural activities to showcase the country’s vast offerings.
They will be showcasing the country’s diverse culture, its food, song, dance and the long-standing principles of sustainability. The local tourist operators will also have the opportunity to share their travel packages on offer and potential investment projects with investors and travelers seeking to learn about the country’s opportunities first-hand.
Last week, there was a Botswana Tourism conference which accorded a platform for dialogue between Botswana and its international trade partners and potential investors especially those in the UAE and neighbouring countries.