Botswana stands out as an African standard for sustainable tourism. To safeguard the country’s biodiversity and natural assets, 37% of its land is preserved as national parks or wildlife management zones.
Simultaneously, local populations, particularly in rural regions, are assisted in reaping the benefits of ecotourism efforts and infrastructure, contributing to national social inclusion and economic development.
Furthermore, a portion of the cash earned by tourism-related activities is reinvested in conservation programs.
Botswana is regarded as one of Africa’s forerunners in terms of sustainable tourism policy and practices. It launched a National Ecotourism Strategy in 2002, making it one of the world’s most recognized sustainable tourism destinations.
Wildlife sanctuaries have been established to rescue endangered species such as rhinos and to safeguard elephant herds from poachers.
For example, in the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its environs, safari camps and lodges protect the ecosystem so that future generations and local communities can continue to enjoy and benefit from sustainable economic activities.
A well-planned approach to tourism has led to this industry becoming the second pillar of Botswana’s economy and the destination of choice for discriminating foreign travelers over the years!
With around 200,000 elephants, the country presently has one of the highest elephant populations in an African state.
Furthermore, as part of the Botswana National Ecotourism Strategy (2002), an Ecotourism Certification System has been implemented to encourage, but also to support, responsible environmental, social, and cultural behavior by businesses operating in the country’s tourism industry and to ensure that consumers receive quality eco-friendly products.
Key ecologically responsible requirements have been established for enterprises to meet or even exceed.
Since then, the Botswana government’s policy has been to promote high-income, low-volume tourism in order to minimize the impact on the country’s natural landscape and history.
Discover tourism investment opportunities at the first-ever Botswana Tourism Investment Summit, co-organized by the Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) and International Tourism Investment Corporation Ltd. (ITIC) and in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, which will be held from November 22 to 24, 2023, at the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) in Botswana.
The summit will include sessions focusing on major challenges and trends, and it will serve as a catalyst for a revolutionary change in Botswana’s tourist scene.
To attend Botswana Tourism Investment Summit on 22 – 24 November 2023, Please register here www.investbotswana.uk