Botswana has reserved some licences for citizen tourism operators in a bid to further enhance meaningful participation of locals in the sector, a government official has said.
“Government has reserved certain concessions for allocation to citizens only,” said the country’s finance and economic development minister Thapelo Matsheka said in his maiden budget presentation.
He could not give details on the concessions they are planning to reserve for the locals.
Meanwhile, Matsheka said a number of marketing initiatives have been undertaken to facilitate the private sector to sell tourism packages to the world and to create awareness of Botswana as a tourist destination.
He also said that Gaborone will prioritise upgrading of infrastructure, both physical and ICT, to tourism areas.
“The private sector will be expected to also contribute resources in this regard,” said the finance minister.
Local tourism entreprenuers in Ngamiland (North West District) raised concerns last December over the short leases they are given to operate camp sites in national parks compared to foreigners.
Foreign players allegedly hold leases of 15 up to 30 years backed by tittle deeds.
Botswana recently maintained its grip in the number one spot as Africa’s best safari country.
The country’s Okavango Delta and the Kalahari Desert are big drawcards for tourists.
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