HATAB wrestles for meaningful job creation
Kebone Laetsang | Thursday April 18, 2019 13:17
The HATAB will hold its 35th annual conference on April 25 and 26, in Kasane.
The annual event offers a forum for engaging in dialogue with top industry thought leaders to exchange ideas and expertise on tourism, which remains Botswana’s fast growing and highly competitive economic sector. The two-day conference will be officiated by Vice President Slumber Tsogwane while the Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism (MENT), Kitso Mokaila would deliver the keynote address under the theme ‘Sustainable Tourism – A driving force for job creation, Economic Growth and Development’.
The conference will equally offer useful insights on emerging issues and provide solutions for development opportunities, including diversification and job creation across the sector in line with HATAB’s mandate of encouraging the advancement of sustainable tourism in Botswana.
Public affairs and communications manager, Tebogo Oletile stated that in the 35 years of the conference, HATAB has grown tremendously and facilitated in harnessing strong business networks between stakeholders through showcasing products and services of participants to prospective buyers and investors.
Furthermore, Oletile outlined that as the second largest contributor to Botswana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), tourism has emerged as one of the leading drivers and catalysts in the country’s job creation and economic growth.
It contributes close to 4.9 percent to the GDP, which translates into P7.7 billion.
“In recognition of the tourism sector’s commitment to promoting sustainable development, employment creation and economic growth, HATAB leveraged on this year’s theme to demonstrate the tourism sector’s immense potential in contributing to the economy through government revenue receipt and job creation, thus adding fresh impetus to the country’s high income status aspirations through support to poverty eradication efforts as well as a diversified and export-led economy by the year 2036,” Oletile said.
Different speakers at the conference will share their perspective with the invited delegates on key developmental issues. A total of six thematic presentations would provide the opportunity for participants to address and discuss issues related to the Tourism Policy and Governance, Product Development base, the involvement of key players in the benefit sharing process, Sustainable Financing and Investment, enhancing destinations competitiveness as well as updates on Government Agencies policies and legislation.
HATAB represents nine tourism sectors including hotels, camps and lodges, mobile safaris, tour operators, and conservation as well as wildlife management, air charter and airlines.
The organisation within the tourism sector fosters to promote, encourage and police excellence in hospitality and tourism in the country.