Botswana targets double tourism growth

BOTSWANA aims to double its annual tourism growth rate of 8% over the next five years. This according to a report by the Commonwealth News and Information Service, which quotes the Botswana tourism ministry’s permanent secretary, Lucas Gakale as saying that tourism will stimulate other economic activities and help generate employment in rural areas. Gakale also called for partnerships between the private and public sectors to promote the tourism industry, as well as joint ventures between small, rural or local companies and well-established tourism operators that will promote networking and skills transfer. Botswana’s main source of visitors is from South Africa, while the UK, US, Europe and the country’s neighbouring countries are also seen as key source markets. (Natalia Thomson)