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Botswana’s new tourism policy of 2021 and mantras of citizen empowerment and product diversification: a case of going backward to move forward.
Botswana’s first tourism policy was published in 1990 as the first true attempt at formalizing tourism activities in the country. The policy advocated for a high-cost, low-volume (HC, LV) marketing approach for general tourism practice in Botswana. This policy position has received reviews from various stakeholders, some of whom decry its exclusionary consequences for both citizen entrepreneurs and travellers. In 2021, the Revised Tourism Policy was released following a lengthy review process dating back to 2008. The newly revised policy prescribes a high volume/mixed price strategy in recognition of the constraints embedded in the founding policy’s approach. To this end, the revised policy promises a more citizen-friendly tourism environment where local participation would be improved and benefits spread more equitably to citizens. While explicitly making pronouncements on how an increase in domestic travel shall be facilitated, as well as calling for local participation at the entrepreneurial level, two things remain unchanged. At most, the revised policy retains its predecessor’s government-centred approach as well as wildlife and wilderness-centred thinking. The government-centred dispensation is aptly captured in the policy as a government-led, private-sector-driven, and community-based tourism development approach. The current case addresses the challenges of a government-centred policy in the wake of citizen empowerment and participation in community-based tourism.
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A NATIONAL TOURISM STRATEGY AND MASTER PLAN FOR BOTSWANA
The Government of Botswana wishes to review and update its national tourism development strategy to build upon the Tourism Policy of 2021. As a result, the Botswana government has embarked on a plan to produce a national tourism master plan and tourism Strategy by July 2022.
Tourism is recognized as one of Botswana’s key growth sectors capable not only of generating valuable foreign revenues and providing substantial employment, especially in rural areas, but also able to act as a catalyst of socio-economic change.
‘Tourism’ is the term used to describe the travels of people to a place outside their normal environment, for any purpose (business, leisure or personal, including visiting friends or relatives, medical, study etc.) and not directly connected with their everyday employment or activity. As a result, when people undertake this travel, they are categorized as ¨visitors¨.
In Botswana, the tourism sector has come to be seen as over-reliant on the high value/low impact approach that has created a valuable international reputation for sensitive wildlife and environmental conservation but resulted in a low average length-of-stay among foreign visitors and a lack of product diversity. One of the key objectives in tourism development therefore is to diversify the product offering to attract a broader diversity of markets, increase the average length of stay and expenditure, create more jobs and provide better opportunities for local communities to share in the economic benefits of tourism.
The production of national tourism master plan and tourism Strategy has resulted in the UNWTO which is contracted to undertake countrywide research consultative process. The consultations involve a wide range of public and private sector stakeholders in Gaborone and across the country, in person or remotely.
It also involves desk research into all available statistical data, research studies, tourism strategies, legislation, and other relevant documentation. It also a regular consultation with the Department of Tourism and her colleagues. There was an extensive field trip to all main tourist areas, involving interviews with local officials and stakeholders, including Tsabong, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Tswapong Hills (Moremi Gorge), Selebi-Phikwe, Tuli Block, Francistown, Nata, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Maun, Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Panhandle (Shakawe, Mohembo Bridge, Tsodilo Hills) and Ghanzi. Similarly, the Chobe District had been explored in detail for the Kasane-Kazungula Master Plan project. The UNWTO also visited several community trusts and community tourism projects in rural areas consulting them on the proposed national tourism master plan and tourism Strategy. A full day consultation workshop in Maun and Gaborone with local/regional tourism and hospitality stakeholders were conducted. Finally, written surveys of private sector stakeholders were also received.
The provisional recommendations take heed of national strategic objectives, namely product and market diversification, the need for greater citizen and local community engagement and the desire to grow the domestic leisure market. These sit alongside the ever-present goals of how to increase foreign revenues and create more jobs while protecting and conserving Botswana’s invaluable natural and cultural assets. It is from this background that the UNWTO team of ten (10) consultants should produce the Botswana Tourism Master Plan and Tourism Strategy by July 2022.
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National Workshop with Tourism Stakeholders in Botswana in Maun on 9 February-Project of the Development of National Tourism Strategy and Master Plan of Botswana
UNWTO and the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism of Botswana are collaborating to prepare a National Tourism Strategy and Master Plan which will guide tourism development from 2022-2032.
The Tourism Strategy and Master Plan come at a strategic time- where it will address not only measures to stimulate the recovery of the tourism sector during COVID times but also pave the way for the sustainable development of Botswana through tourism. The workshop was organized to convene the stakeholders to prioritize issues to be addressed in the National Tourism Strategy and Master Plan for Botswana.
“We are looking for a Tourism Strategy and Master Plan which is robust, practical and implementable and which will enable Botswana to become the destination of choice” stated Dr. Oduetse Koboto, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism stated at the Opening Ceremony of the National Workshop.
The current phase of the project includes a detailed review of the tourism sector in Botswana, taking into account the Government’s Vision 2036 and Revised Tourism Policy for future tourism development and the role the sector will play in the country’s socio-economic advancement. in addition to the identification of the key areas and issues that should be addressed through the preparation of a long-term National Tourism Development Strategy and Master Plan for Botswana 2022-2032 which will be the next step of the project.
The National Strategy and Master Plan will provide guidance in terms of implementing and managing the Revised Tourism Policy of Botswana with a view toward the efficient management of tourism resources, both cultural and natural; the mainstreaming of tourism in the Government planning process; and the increased participation and ownership of the local communities in the development of the sector.
Tourism Strategy and Master Plan
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1. INTRODUCTION. 1.1 During the past few decades, Botswana has emerged as one of the most impressive economic performers in Africa, boasting of a track record of spectacular economic growth, stability and transparency. However, the economy is not well diversified and depends heavily on diamonds.
This Tourism Statistics report provides statistics on non-citizens, including temporary residents, entering and leaving Botswana during 2021. The information contained in this publication is compiled from completed immigration embarkation forms.
In 2021, the Revised Tourism Policy was released following a lengthy review process dating back to 2008. The newly revised policy prescribes a high volume/mixed price strategy in recognition of the constraints embedded in the founding policy’s approach.
The Government of Botswana wishes to review and update its national tourism development strategy to build upon the Tourism Policy of 2021. As a result, the Botswana government has embarked on a plan to produce a national tourism master plan and tourism Strategy by July 2022.
Botswana’s revised Tourism Policy (2021) makes some useful admissions about the bottlenecks that were inherent in the provisions of the first policy document (GoB, 2021). It points out some key structural issues emanating from both local and international spheres.
tourism sector contributes 11.5% to the country’s GDP and 26,000 jobs (WTTC, 2019). Botswana’s tourism industry is largely centered around protected and conserved areas, wildlife, and wilderness tourism and promotes sustainable ecotourism through a high-value low-volume tourism policy, to encourage the continued attai.
TOURISM STATISTICS RORT 2020 7. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Botswana just like the rest of the world imposed travel restrictions for inbound travel due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Most border posts were closed at the beginning of April 2020, with only a few opened to facilitate essential travel during 2020.
Tourism Policy of Botswana. UNWTO and the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism of Botswana are collaborating to prepare a National Tourism Strategy and Master Plan which will guide tourism development from 2022-2032.
The policy advocated for a high-cost, low-volume (HC, LV) marketing approach for general tourism practice in Botswana. This policy position has received reviews from various stakeholders, some of whom decry its exclusionary consequences for both citizen entrepreneurs and travellers.