BTO, ministry team up to boost cultural, sports products

MPHO TLALE
Staff Writer | Tuesday August 21, 2012 00:00

 

Speaking at the event, BTO Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Myra Sekgororoane said that the focus would not just be on wildlife to promote tourism in Botswana. She said that they have roped in MYSC to shift the focus on wildlife and incorporate new areas.'BTO has for a very long time been heavily dependent on wildlife and the wilderness. It is, therefore, important that we develop our product into other forms of tourism and take advantage of the current hype around ecotourism,' she said. She said that the aim is to now develop culture and event-based tourism, adding that promoting event tourism would lead them to develop a Calendar of events for the country yearly.

Sekgororoane gave an example of events such as the President's Day awards and the 1,000 kilometres Dessert race, which are annual events that are recognised. She also said that they would be looking into sports and entertainment and see how they can coordinate them to work together to boost the tourism sector in Botswana.According to Sekgororoane, these new tourism activities should be appealing enough to entice tourists to stay longer when visiting the country.For her part, MYSC Permanent Secretary, Ruth Maphorisa said that arts, sports and tourism - if merged - have much to offer. She said that BTO and MYSC need each other to advance arts and sports in the country.

Maphorisa said that by working together the two organisations would be working on helping the country towards achieving economic diversification. She said that there should be the development of cultural centres that promote sports tourism. She further said that as a joint investment mission, the aim is to work together and come up with a package that would help sell the country both locally and externally.