Africa-Press – Botswana. In line with key budget priorities for 2025/2026 financial year, Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) has embarked on building an inclusive economy, through tourism expansion, to increase citizen participation in the sector.
This was said by the BTO Acting Executive Manager, Mr Shato Lopang, during the 2025/26 First National Bank budget review seminar in Gaborone on Wednesday. In 2023, Mr Lopang said the country received 1.183 million international tourists, representing about 76 per cent of pre-quoted levels. During the first quarter of 2024, he said BTO received 18 per cent more tourists compared to the same period in 2023.
“Our estimates show that, in 2024, we have received 89 per cent of 2019 arrivals, which shows that we are gradually recovering,” he added.
The total contribution of the tourism sector to GDP, in 2023, he said was P32.8 billion, which is 12.1 per cent of the GDP ‘and this included the wider effects from investment, supply chains and reduced income impacts. The tourism sector is forecast to grow at an annual growth of 4.3 per cent per annum
In terms of employment, in the tourism sector, Mr Lopang said was forecast to grow at 2.9 per cent per annum to reach 142 043 jobs, which is 11.9 per cent of total employment by 2034.
In 2023, he said, the total contribution of the tourism employment was 100 386 jobs, which is 10.6 per cent of total employment.
Therefore, to realise the aspirations of inclusive economy through tourism expansion, Mr Lopang said BTO would diversify the value chains, within the tourism sector, for increased citizen participation. Since tourism is a key driver for sustainable economic growth, he said, BTO would, through expanding the sector, help improve the quality of lives by focusing on job creation and poverty reduction.
Mr Lopang added: “So, we will be improving the quality of life, enhancing tourism infrastructure, to improve visitors’ experiences for some projects, such as Kasane/Kazungula Development Project, which the government is investing in.
There would be improved and increased education together with mentorship to empower communities on long term value derivation on tourism.”
Given that most of the country’s tourism invested on wildlife, which is centred in rural economies, he said the organisation was trying to increase the participation of rural communities from tourism areas.
“We will also be diversifying into culture based creative arts, sports and adventure and culinary tourism products.
We will be modernising infrastructure and digital transformation, leveraging technology to enhance tourism services, marketing and online booking systems and use of digital platform to promote our destinations globally.”
He said BTO would also integrate eco-friendly practices within tourism, for sustainable green transitions and sustainability, through usage of solar energy and waste reduction initiatives.
“As you know, the world is moving towards a green economy and we want to see sustainable tourism towards the forefront. We will achieve this through minimising tourism leakages. As you know tourism is an international business, so definitely the value chain cuts across countries. So, the booking systems can be international whereas the product is in Botswana,” he said.
Furthermore, BTO acting executive manager said the organisation had also developed a Meetings, Incentives Conference and Exhibitions (MICE) strategy and would be working on implementing it, away from wildlife- moving-towards other forms of tourism.
“We will also be working on increasing foreign direct investment in tourism and diversification of tourism products and geographic location to grow the tourism sector to bring more benefits to other parts of the country,” he said.
Mr Lopang added that still as part of BTO’s diversification efforts, the organisation would also use the Gaborone, Letsibogo and Shashe dams as leisure destinations for tourists attractions.
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