Tourism Minister Wynter Mmolotsi has raised alarm over an estimated P7.9 billion in annual “leakages” from the sector, warning lawmakers that a significant portion of foreign tourist spend continues to exit the country instead of circulating within local value chains.
Citing a Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis (BIDPA) study, he said the losses are fuelled by heavy reliance on imported goods and offshore booking systems, particularly under Botswana’s low-volume, high-value tourism model. The remarks came as he tabled the tourism chapter of National Development Plan 12 (2025/26–2029/30), which positions tourism as a core driver of the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme.
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