Botswana has been labelled as the worst when it comes to the reception of tourists in the streets, cabs, and hotels.
While considered as one of the best countries for wildlife tourism, Botswana has become the latest victim of bad picture that could possibly taint the tourism industry, which contributes so much to the GDP.
According to the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Kitso Mokaila, this latest rating from the Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa (RETOSA) study needs appropriate action in educating the citizenry about the importance of tourism.
At the just ended RETOSA meeting in Mauritius, Mokaila pointed out that Botswana fared badly when it comes to looking after tourists.
“Botswana was considered the worst when it comes to accepting or welcoming tourists in the country though we are probably the best when it comes to policies,” said Mokaila.
He noted that the problem could be attributed to lack of understanding about the industry among the citizenry and emphasized that educating the locals on how to welcome and interact with tourists and holidaymakers is of big importance.
Mokaila noted that the study was based on those who meet tourists, such as taxi drivers, cleaners and those offering services to tourists.
On another issue, Mokaila pointed out that Botswana is not convinced by the mandate of the RETOSA Secretariat which is geared towards harmonizing and marketing Southern Africa to travellers worldwide.
Mokaila said that Botswana has proposed that the RETOSA Secretariat remains under the structure of SADC Headquarters in Gaborone.
He said that currently the Secretariat, which is currently in South Africa, was not benefiting Botswana despite enormous financial expenditure towards the Secretariat.
“Currently every country is marketing itself. Everyone expects returns on any investment but Botswana is not getting those returns,” said Mokaila. “The country invests almost US $150 000 every year but results are not coming.”
He further noted that though there were some countries which were against Botswana’s position, South Africa threw its support behind Botswana.
It was later agreed at the meeting that a consultancy should be appointed to look at RETOSA. According to the minister, the consulting group was given six months to report back on whether the institution should fall under the SADC structure.
The minister has a firm believe that it should not continue to invest in an institution which only employs people while it has no direct benefits to countries. He also noted that the institution should be in the forefront in attracting tourists.
Mokaila is confident that if the institution is strengthened, all member states under RETOSA could benefit immensely from the tourists.
He noted that there is need to concentrate on developing the industry because it is evident that resources, such as diamonds, might diminish in the future.
Mokaila also stated that it was agreed at the meeting that there is a need to harmonize tourism products in countries that are members of RETOSA, saying that hotel establishments in these countries should be of the same standards.
“We don’t want to see a situation where some developments, such as hotels, become barriers to other countries as RETOSA envisages to market these countries as a package on the international market,” added Mokaila.
