smiles as unfailing as the year-round
flying you across the Okavango Delta
sunshine. Many have found they come
or a Mosarwa (San) heading a walking
here for the wildlife and stay for the
safari in the Kalahari Desert.
people. No wonder Botswana is one of Africa’s most desirable living addresses.
The tourism sector is an engine of
The government has managed to
growth, with the potential to conserve
distribute much of the lucrative
natural resources, diversify the economy
returns from the diamond industry
and improve local livelihoods; and
throughout the country and has similar
it depends on the harmony between
nation-building ideals for tourism, its
Batswana and their natural world that is
second-highest foreign revenue earner.
ingrained in the fabric of the nation. The
TOURISM AS AN EMPLOYER
thick black band and thin white frame in the national flag symbolise racial
Tourism has been a strong and
harmony as well as depicting the stripes
consistent engine of economic growth,
of a zebra. Even the national currency,
contributing 8.5 per cent of the nation’s
the pula (from the Setswana word for
gross domestic product according to
rain – so valuable in a country that is 70
the World Travel and Tourism Council
per cent desert) links the enterprise of a
(WTTC). Such a status has been solidified
people with the life-giving properties of
by HATAB’s presence over the past 37
the natural world.
years in encouraging and promoting high standards in the industry.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM There are organisations helping continue
Increasing the participation of Batswana
that bond between communities and
in the ownership and management of
conservation. Enterprises such as the
tourism enterprises has been key to
eco camps of Children In The Wilderness
the development of the sector. A WTTC
(CITW) are creating the next generation
research paper entitled ‘Travel and
of Africa’s conservationists and environ-
Tourism Economic Impact in Botswana’
mental leaders, while social enterprises
said the tourism industry employed
such as Travel for Impact, based in
at least 25,000 people in 2016 – 2.6 per
Maun, link the travel industry with
cent of total employment – and forecast
community projects.
that by 2027 travel and tourism would
OPENING UP THE SKIES As a result of the Open Skies Policy, Botswana has negotiated 21 and signed eight Bilateral Air Service Agreements. Air Botswana’s acquisition of a new fleet of aircraft will enable it to expand into the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and beyond. The move will see carriers such as Ethiopian Airlines and Air Mauritius flying to Botswana and will hopefully attract global airlines to operate direct flights to Gaborone from international cities. The introduction of tourist visas on arrival for air passengers should also improve tourism and make it easier to do business in Botswana. The country’s main airport, Sir Seretse Khama International, in Gaborone, is well served by flights from Johannesburg and Harare, but many safari-minded tourists head for Kasane Airport and Maun Airport where there are special charter flights serving the remote camps and lodges.
HEALTHCARE The Botswana healthcare system is made up of government and privatesector service providers. Public-sector healthcare services are provided free or for a minimal fee to citizens, while foreign nationals pay reasonable subsidised fees. Healthcare provision is decentralised, with an extensive network of primary healthcare facilities: hospitals, clinics and health posts. If you fall ill in the remoter parts of the country, there are over 800 mobile services available for those outside the 8 km radius of a health facility.
STABILITY AND SECURITY For 18 years in a row, Botswana has ranked as the least corrupt country in Africa, according to Transparency International, with the Commonwealth choosing Gaborone to locate its first Africa-wide anti-corruption centre. The country has consistently adhered to democratic rule since gaining independence. Mokgweetsi Masisi, the country’s fifth president, will hope for a second term when Botswana holds a general election later this year.
account for 43,000 jobs directly. The
An eco-grading system ensures that all
tourism and hospitality sector has
camps and lodges in the national parks
benefited from the government’s tertiary
meet standards in sustainability. Many of
education policy, with more young
them go far beyond those requirements
people getting the qualifications they
by catering for eco-conscious tourists
need to pursue senior positions at hotels
who want to leave things better than
and lodges. Spend time in Botswana and
they found them. Botswana appeals
you’ll marvel at the level of expertise
to millennials – including perhaps the
They are part of a large-scale concerted
and service you receive wherever you
world’s most famous millennial couple,
effort here to ensure that this wonderful
go, whether it’s the front desk staff at
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who
country provides a quality of life for local
your hotel, the chef and waiting staff
got engaged on safari here – looking for
people and visitors in harmony with its
in a restaurant, an artisan at one of the
an authentic adventure where they can
diverse wild terrains, a showcase of what
country’s many traditional craft stores, a
be actively involved in conserving the
Africa can be and deserves to be. Come
game drive guide, a hot air balloon pilot
untouched and unspoilt country.
feel the freedom in Botswana. T H I S I S B O T S WA N A 2 0 1 9 -2 0
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