In today's edition, I wish to offer insight into modern challenges affecting heritage development in Botswana.
In most of the papers I have written on heritage site development, I have conscientiously argued that even though cultural tourism provides an alternative way of diversifying Botswana's tourism industry, there is still a lot of room to cover. As an example, involvement of the private sector, the public, the media and individuals in cultural and natural heritage development remains an unmet target. The Botswana National Museum has however steadfastly made significant efforts to develop Botswana's heritage sites for public appreciation, income generation and conservation in the last decade. Research conducted in the last 40 years has helped elevated the significance of some of our prime heritage sites. This has availed information instrumental in marketing some of these heritage sites for tourism. By the year 2008, only 12 heritage sites around the country were officially open to the public for tourism purposes. These included our only World Heritage Site of Tsodilo Hills, the outstanding National Monuments of Gcwihaba Caves, Domboshaba Ruins, Lekhubu Island, Moremi Gorge, Lepokole Hills, Majojo Ruins, Matsieng, Three Dikgosi, Livingstone Memorial, Manyana Paintings and Mogonye Gorges. At all these sites visitors were guaranteed professionally trained guides, camping facilities, and signage and information packages on these outstanding heritage sites.
