The national airline is strengthening its presence in the regional tourism and aviation sector by enhancing strategic collaborations.
As part of the initiative, Air Botswana and KZN tourism authorities recently hosted local travel and tour agents on a familiarisation trip to Durban. The purpose was to expose Botswana’s travel industry stakeholders to the diverse tourism offerings of KwaZulu-Natal beyond its popular beachfront attractions. Similarly, KZN’s travel and tour operators also visited Botswana to explore the country’s tourism potential.
This exchange was designed to help operators from both countries understand the unique selling points of each destination and foster cross-selling opportunities to boost travel between Botswana and South Africa.
Durban Tourism and Film Region Manager for Domestic and Africa, Mpume Ngubane, said the initiative is a strategic marketing approach aimed at ensuring the long-term success of the Gaborone–Durban route.
"We need to support the sustainability of this route by encouraging operators from Botswana and KZN to sell these destinations to their respective markets. “We are taking an aggressive approach within route development structures to secure direct flights and enhance connectivity," she said.
Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) officer, Clement Nsala, also stressed the importance of collaboration, urging agents from both countries to work together as there is much that can be marketed from both destinations.
"I urge you travel and tour operators to work together, be each other's point of contact and see the power of collaboration. You are not competitors but rather partners," he said.
Air Botswana’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Mogolo Mokgosi, expressed satisfaction with the passenger numbers recorded since the route’s launch in December. By the end of February, nearly 2,000 passengers had used the service, demonstrating strong demand.
"These numbers show that the introduction of the route was necessary and has great potential. “Normally, it takes time for a new route to gain traction, but we are seeing promising results," Mokgosi said.
Beyond the Gaborone–Durban route, Air Botswana recently expanded its operations, introducing flights to Windhoek in Namibia, as well as Mpumalanga in South Africa. This expansion aligns with the airline’s broader strategy of growth and sustainability.
The introduction of new routes and increased flight frequencies is expected to enhance Air Botswana’s regional presence, offering more travel options and catering to growing demand.
As the airline continues its expansion efforts, the routes are set to strengthen connections across Southern Africa, benefiting both leisure and business travellers.
