The MICE strategy was implemented by the previous regime aimed at bringing international business into Botswana and generate income through hosting of conferences, meetings, incentives, and exhibitions. In recent years Botswana has hosted several conferences since implementation of MICE including Forbes30 conference, which was held over three years amongst others. However, speaking at the HATAB annual conference held under the theme, 'Botswana Tourism: Exploring the Conditions for Growth', vice chairperson Keletso Bogatsu stated that the government is lagging behind in MICE. She accused the local government of overlooking the private sector in the implementation of the MICE strategy. “A lot of elephants have been spoken about in the room today but there is one elephant that we continue to forget about, which is the MICE strategy,” she said.
Bogatsu stated that the MICE strategy can only be feasible if the government steps up and focuses more on inclusion than riding solo on implementing the strategy, which to her is detrimental. “MICE can only be attained with the partnership of the government, President (Duma Boko), and if we were to be given a chance as HATAB, we could take it far,” she said. Bogatsu said if the new regime is intentional on identifying the tourism industry as the next diamonds for Botswana, their wish is to put a stamp on the relationship of HATAB and the government on MICE. “If we were given a chance as HATAB, we would respectfully demand that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and HATAB to ensure that MICE takes over the country,” Bogatsu demanded. Bogatsu highlighted that the MICE strategy is the right tool that can be used to sell Botswana to an international market only if the right people are brought on board to drive it forward, which is what the country needs.
Meanwhile, President Duma Boko speaking at the conference, acceded to the demand of returning the Tourism Pitso, which has not been held in the past years. The Tourism Pitso was requested by the industry players indicating that the Pitso creates a platform for them to strategise how best can the industry be improved.
