More Batswana venture into tourism
Spira Tlhankane | Wednesday March 13, 2024 09:05
“As of the end of January 2024, the Ministry licensed 3,236 100% citizen-owned operators, 286 joint ventures, and 296 non-citizen-owned enterprises compared to a target of 250 per year," he said.
The minister highlighted that this surge in interest stimulates employment in the sector.
"Accommodation and Food Services’ real value added rose by 4.3 percent in the year 2022 as opposed to a decrease of 1.5 percent registered in the previous year,” he further disclosed. Regarding employment, Mthimkhulu reported a recovery in 2023, with an estimated 53,000 jobs compared to the 46,750 recorded in 2022.
He said a significant portion of the employment is concentrated in the accommodation sector, accounting for 21,481 jobs as of January 2024. Mthimkhulu also provided insights into site allocations, revealing that “a total of seven sites, four at Gaborone Dam and three at Shashe Dam have been allocated and signed for tourism use".
He added that the tendering process for the remaining 18 sites at Shashe, Letsibogo, and Thune Dam is ongoing and will be completed in the first quarter of the 2024-2025 financial year. The tendering process is also in progress for allocating a lodge site in the Kalahari Transfrontier Park and the NG 42 Concession Area in northern Botswana.
“Following the decision to lease out 45 campsites to Batswana at the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Khutse Game Reserve, and the Kalahari Trans-Frontier Park, my ministry has completed the selection of successful bidders for the remaining two lots and we are currently working with the Ministry of Lands and Water Affairs to facilitate the development of leases for the areas,” he said. Mthimkhulu also disclosed that the keeping of game in fields (masimo) initiative continues to bear fruit as they realise an increase in both the number of applications and start-up stock given to successful applicants. “Applications received have increased from 289 to 353 while approvals have increased from 261 to 327. Of the 327 approved applicants, 198 have so far received start-up stock of a total of 836 animals compared to 377 animals given to 67 farmers in the previous year,” he stated.