Africa-Press – Botswana. Empowering community trusts will go a long way in helping them understand the value of resources they have.
Tourism studies expert from Okavango Research Institute, Professor Joseph Mbaiwa appreciated that while trusts could venture into tourism activities, there was need for the sector to be run in such a way that communities were not reduced to spectators.
“It is a good idea for trusts to participate in the tourism industry, however, it is unfortunate as there are a lot of disturbing media reports about issues of maladministration among trusts and it is disheartening because no one was charged with such cases,” he said.
Prof. Mbaiwa was speaking during the launch of travel and tourism podcast initiative recently.
He called for capacitation of community trusts, to meaningfully participate in the tourism industry citing that the country had good natural resources but it was unfortunate as trusts did not understand the value of resources available in their concession areas.
He thus appealed for communities to be trained in management and the value of products they offered.
Some trusts, he said leased their concessions to investors who took advantage of their lack of knowledge on the value of their assets and made millions at the expense of the communities.
Prof. Mbaiwa said some trusts were issued with hunting quotas which included species of high value such as elephants but gave them away at a lesser price while some owned prime areas which could significantly benefit communities but underutilise them.
“Training will also help trusts to utilise the podcast initiative and sell their products to the international community,” he added.
Prof. Mbaiwa also talked about training young people on digital literacy so that they could be equipped with skills and knowledge to navigate the digital landscape and use technology meaningfully.
While he acknowledged the importance of using technology in enhancing personal and professional life, he said it was regrettable that some misuse it.
Kgosi Tlotlang Dingalo of Shorobe welcomed the launch of the tourism podcast saying it would put their village on the map as it was rich in natural resources.
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