Tourism diversification gains impetus
Boniface Keakabetse | Wednesday April 27, 2016 11:32
Giving a keynote address at Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) annual general meeting (AGM) here this week, Molale said government acknowledged that fact.
“Our traditional tourist product offering has predominantly been based on the magnificent wildlife resource and the vast wilderness. So far our product has been differentiated from similar product offerings of our regional competitors purely on the basis of authenticity.”
Molale said government now eyes development of niche tourism projects in the segments of sports, adventure, and culture and heritage tourism. He talked of the development of the market segment of Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions.
He further explained that government is exploring the development of sustainable commercial water-based recreational and leisure tourism activities specifically at the Letsibogo, Shashe, Thune and Dikgathong dams to unlock and develop the largely untapped tourism and recreational potential of these wetlands.
Moreover he explained that the recently introduced Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) by government will further develop various tourism nodes, including the Kasane Kazungula Redevelopment Mega Project, to preserve the natural integrity of the area while optimising on the economic benefits of sustainable tourism. He said other projects that will benefit from the ESP are the Maun Educational Park, re-development of botanical gardens and the rehabilitation of the Bonnington Farm for city tourism activities in Gaborone.
However, Molale noted that most of the new projects are still at formative stages adding that the objective is to grow them into annual mega events to add to the touristic vibrancy, authenticity of experience and destination appeal of Botswana.
He advised the tourism operators to partner in the diversification drive by bringing new and innovative ways to broaden Botswana’s product to appeal to the demands of international tourists. He said many tourists travel out of a desire for adventure and to experience the unknown. Molale further emphasised that government has embarked on a systematic process of change of policy, continuous improvement of product and product-diversification.
HATAB CEO, Lily Rakorong later told Mmegi Business that while the AGM was a success, some critical government offering service to the tourism sector chose not to attend despite invitations. She expressed hope that the minister’s attendance this year will lead to a better appreciation of the challenges they face in the tourism industry. She said they have made a lot of progress in the solution of the problems which used to be annual concerns.
The AGM held under the theme: ‘The future of the tourism sector: mapping the way forward’ brought together tourism experts, strategic partners and stakeholders, to introspect and reflect on the strategic direction of the industry.