- Mmolotsi urges Wilderness Dumatau to allow guests to immerse in local culture
Wilderness Botswana has been implored to work with local communities in areas they operate for the inculcation of cultural tourism in tourism product offering.
Environment and Tourism minister Wynter Mmolotsi made the passionate plea with particular reference to Wilderness Duma Tau, on the occasion to officially open it last week. DumaTau, which is located in the Linyanti was rebuilt a couple of years ago, and had not been officially opened since then, though operational.
Mmolotsi urged Wilderness Botswana to work with the community of Chobe in an endeavor to tailor make the area’s culture into Duma Tau’s tourism product offering.
Applauding Wilderness Botswana for the investment said the company took a significant step towards maintaining the balance between sustainable tourism and environmental conservation in support of the country’s policy of high value low volume tourism in ecologically sensitive areas.
Mmolotsi further highlighted that infusing cultural tourism in the offering would grow the cultural heritage as it would allow guest to engage in local traditions of communities living around the facilities.
“We want guests to take a piece of our rich culture back home, understanding who we are and our stories as they told by all of us,” Mmolotsi urged,
He acknowledged Wilderness Botswana and partners for their continued efforts in conservation and sustainable efforts echoed internationally.
“Your care for the environment is indeed an assurance for a renewable asset and insurance that our flora and fauna will be protected for generations to come. I am happy to note how you have made commitments by ensuring that the benefits of tourism are felt by Batswana through employment and education, noting that 97% of your employees are indigenous Batswana,” Mmolotsi applauded.
The minister lauded the eco-tourism operator playing a role in the area’s corporate social responsibility, citing the recent food donation exercise to the communities in the eastern panhandle of the Okavango Delta.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to pledge commitment to resolving the issue of pending lease renewals,” he pledged to the most contentious issue.
A visibly elated Wilderness Botswana board Chairman Kabelo Binns said the company was willing to work with the government in its endeavor to take the country forward as partners in development.
He further pledged the company’s readiness to assist government any area they can, “because we are partners to Botswana and Africa because we are expanding our business, effecting what Batswana spirit is into the rest of the continent.”
Wilderness Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Keith Vincent acknowledged the company’s human resource for its success. The staff, Vincent stated was the company’s biggest asset, which stood as the driver for all that has been achieved.
Further, Vincent welcomed the new government, adding they are excited about its vision for the company going forth where the company wants to be a partner, even more than they were in the past.
“We have a government that is keen to drive the people forward, and we as responsible members of the industry have a responsibility to work with the government, local communities and various authorities in the areas that we operate. You have my promise, we will walk the road side by side,” Keith committed.
Keith announced the company’s plans to invest between P250 million to P300 million in Botswana, with the hope of increasing its employee base from just below a thousand to an extra 200 in the next year or two.
