INSIDE_MENT_ISSUE_02

ISSUE No 2 May 2021

Republic of Botswana Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism

INSIDE MENT BOTSWANA

to combat climate change

WOMEN in tourism celebrated

TOURISM Policy

Recieves light Green Light

HUNTING PERMITTED 1

CONTENTS

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Women in tourism celebrated

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Botswana to combat climate Change

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Tourism policy recieves green light

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Hunting permitted

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Ministry to fund tourism project

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Contributors

TABLE OF

Articles Editor Lesego Kgomanyane

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Design Layout - Monde Ojang Photography- Monde Ojang

NOTE

EDITORS

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his edition highlight some of the Ministry s milestones that calls for a celebration. Parliament passed the Revised Tourism Policy and Climate Change policy and are expected to contribute to the socio economic development of the country. The Revised Tourism Policy is billed to elevate the status of tourism as a priority growth sector in Botswana while the Climate Change Policy is expected to help build Batswana’s capacity to respond to existing and future climate change impacts. Our Minister, Hon. Philda Nani Kereng paid tribute to women in tourism. Kereng called for women to rise up and continue to be agents of change for their families, communities and the nation. She further said the women should celebrate their achievements, inspire and empower others. Over and above that, the Minister has embarked in an exercise dubbed Explore Botswana to unveil tourism opportunities around the country. Some that were identified include sports, cultural and photo tourism amongst others, #localtourism, #rewithin #explorebotswana !

Enjoy the read 3

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M Women

in tourism celebrated

inister Philda Nani Kereng has applauded women who have constantly challenged the status quo and often defied the cultural boundaries and social norms to lead their own ventures. Speaking at the High tea event, she revealed that women are trailblazers and harbingers of change and as such they must continue to celebrate their achievements and share their different paths through the tourism landscape.

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“Women are the key architects of the society. We are seeing a cadre of committed women in various positions across the different sub sector of the tourism industry. Many of these women have risen to become pillars of hope and agents of change for their families and their communities,” she revealed The high tea platform profiled, recognised and celebrated the success of women in the sector. It also identified mechanism to address the barriers faced by women in the tourism sector, access to business resources, information and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in tourism.

“This is an opportunity to celebrate your work, contribution within the tourism sector, reflect on what you have achieved, re-evaluate and look into what is being done to continue making meaningful contribution in the tourism sector to positively impact the lives of women and girls,” Kereng indicated, adding that stakeholders ought to create opportunities that drive the advancement of women in the sector.

Women account for the majority of the global tourism workforce but tend to work in low paying, and low status position, according to the World Tourism Organisation. Furthermore statistics by Department of Tourism has uncovered that 60 percent of the total 20 283 employed in the tourism industry were women and 1294 of 2594 licensed tourism operation are owned by women. ,

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#Rewithin #w.i.thightea #choosetochallenget

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Botswana to combat climate change While the developed world is working out its best mitigation strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Botswana’s commitment to joining the international community in stabilization of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has been realized.

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arliament approved Botswana Climate Change Policy in an effort to counter the negative impacts of climate change and harness positive opportunities.

The aim of the Policy is to mainstream climate change and sustainability into development planning. It will also help build Batswana’s capacity to respond to existing and future climate change impacts and to promote low carbon development pathways that would contribute to socio-economic development, environmental protection,

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poverty eradication and reduction of greenhouse gases.

“It will provide opportunities for improved livelihoods through creation of green jobs, development and transfer of relevant technologies, create and ease access to both local and international markets as well as commit government, private sector and non-state actors to adopt adaptations , mitigation measures that would facilitate sustainability and building resilience of all sectors, “Hon. Philda Nani Kereng stated

Tourism

policy recieves green light Parliament has recently passed the Revised Tourism Policy that aims to promote tourism in the country. The policy is expected to increase the number of investors in the sector and generate employment thereby reducing poverty in the country.

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t will also make investment attractive, profitable and sustainable through expansion of the product, either by increasing existing capacities or adding new components.

“The aim of the policy is to enhance the contribution of the tourism sector in the growth and development of Botswana. This will be achieved through strategies on diversification and establishment of an enabling environment for tourism investment,” Hon. Philda Nani Kereng revealed.

Some of the key issues highlighted in the Revised Tourism Policy include increasing domestic tourism marketing with special emphasis on facilitating Batswana to explore their own country, promoting diversification and broadening of tourism base by adding new product components and opening up new areas.

Furthermore, it will facilitate linkages with other sector clusters such as beef, diamond, finance & knowledge intensive business services and encouraging development of products and services suitable for domestic consumption.

“The Policy also emphasizes the need to increase the level of community and citizen participation in the tourism sector including promoting tourism awareness at all levels of society,” The Minister stated.

Ministry has also entered into an agreement with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) for the development of the National Tourism Master Plan in an effort to operationalize the policy.

Tourism has been identified as one the economic sectors with potential to contribute to diversification.

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Ministry

to fund tourism project W

hile COVID 19 is impacting all industries, the tourism and hospitality sector has experienced the most impact to date given travel restrictions, limitations on social gathering and events as well as the overall risk aversion to travel internationally and domestically.

The Ministry is considering funding potential tourism projects in an endeavour to diversify tourism product, create more job attract new audience to counter the negative impact covid 19 pandemic has had on the country’s economy.

The Minister, Hon. Philda Nani Kereng embarked on a tourism exploration exercise in a bid to unleash a wide range of tourism opportunities at destinations across the country and kick start the ailing tourism industry.

Kereng visited Kgatleng East, Kanye North, Kgalagadi North,

Nkange and Francistown North constituencies where potential for development in adventure, cultural village, beach tourism, bicycle tours and camp sites where identified. Furthermore picnic spots, recreational water activities, mountain climbing, campsite and hiking activities were identified as tourism potential that can provide jobs, local incomes and make contributions to Government revenue.

“These would be reprioritized through our different funding mechanism this financial year,”Hon. Kereng revealed.

Some of these tourism potentials identified were in Oliphants Drift along the Limpopo River, Pharing Gorge, Mmakgodumo Dam in Kanye North Middlepits/Khuis in Kgalagadi and Francistown South among others.

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Hunting permitted

Government has recently rolled over hunting quotas to 2021 to enable communities living within wildlife management areas to hunt. This comes after the hunting season was cut short last year due to the COVID 19 pandemic, which has reportedly resulted in reduced income and jeopardizing community projects

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ommunities are now benefiting from the disposed quotas. So far PALEKA Trust managed to raise P7,000,000.00 (Seven Million Pula) while CECT sold its quota for P5, 600, 000. 00 (Five Million, Six Hundred Thousand Pula). These funds will allow the respective communities in Chobe district to fully benefit from this resource and accrue revenues to improve their lives.

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Republic of Botswana Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism

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