Botswanas tourism sector is set for an exciting new era of diversification, linked to the implementation of the countrys MICE strategy and the newly formed Botswana Air Access project, along with stimulation of urban tourism.
Speaking to Tourism Update on the sidelines of the recently concluded Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) in Gaborone, Keitumetse Setlang , CEO of the Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO), said the formal adoption of a MICE strategy had laid strong foundations for multi-stakeholder growth of the sector.
Without such a strategy we have not been able to quantify returns and guide the sector forward. We can now guide the management of events for optimal impact and pre-plan for what we intend to do a year in advance, said Setlang.
Nnaniki Makwinja , Botswanas Minister of Environment and Tourism, said the countrys hosting of ATLF over the past three years was a prime example of the economic benefits that MICE could bring to the country.
This has been a crucial platform for Botswana, resulting in a socio-economic impact of BWP44 million (3m) that extends throughout the entire tourism value chain in Gaborone, said Makwinja.
