The review follows the adoption of the National Tourism Policy in 2021 and the subsequent development of the country's 10-year National Tourism Strategy and Master Plan (NTSMP), which sets out a roadmap for sustainable tourism growth and increased private sector participation. Minister of Environment and Tourism, Wynter Mmolotsi, explained that the reform process marked a significant milestone in government's efforts to transform the tourism industry into a more competitive and inclusive sector. "The review reflects government's commitment to creating a modern, responsive and enabling legal framework for tourism development," Mmolotsi said during a stakeholder consultation on the review of the Tourism Act held in Gaborone recently.
According to the minister, the strategy is anchored on creating an enabling business environment, strengthening destination marketing and branding, and improving infrastructure and support services. Crucially, the NTSMP identified the need to harmonise tourism-related legislation to create a more coherent and investment-friendly regulatory framework. The review of the Tourism Act is expected to serve as the first phase of broader legislative reforms affecting several sectors linked to tourism.
