Setlang Keitumetse, Acting CEO of Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO), outlined a comprehensive vision for Botswana’s tourism sector, emphasizing diversification, infrastructure development, and local empowerment. At the World Travel Market Africa, Keitumetse emphasized Botswana’s appeal as a tourism destination, particularly targeting the South African market due to its proximity and interest in events. She highlighted the BTO’s focus on positioning Botswana as a Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination, citing upcoming high-profile events like the Forbes Under 30 gathering and the Khawa Dune Challenge.
Infrastructure development emerged as a key pillar of the BTO’s strategy, with Keitumetse stressing the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure to support larger-scale events and facilitate tourism growth. Additionally, she underscored the importance of local participation and empowerment, highlighting initiatives to strike a balance between foreign investment and local engagement in tourism. The Community-Based Natural Resources Management policy aims to foster greater local involvement and value creation in the tourism sector.
Keitumetse expressed the BTO’s ambitious goal of surpassing 2019 tourism numbers by 2025, focusing not only on increasing arrivals but also on boosting tourism revenue and length of stay. In her closing remarks, she invited travelers to experience Botswana’s diverse attractions firsthand, from the enchanting Okavango Delta to the majestic Chobe, emphasizing Botswana as the ultimate destination for relaxation and immersive experiences.