After Botswana’s General Elections of October 30, 2024, a new government under the Umbrella of Democratic Change (UDC) has been ushered in to rule the country for the next 5 years. May in the tourism industry have been asking questions on the new path tourism development especially trophy hunting will take in the new government. Even though the UDC has a brief section on tourism development in their manifesto, we are not sure of the direction which tourism development will take. In addition, the Minister of Environment & Tourism has also not been appointed yet. However, the Government Gazette today indicates that CBNRM has been moved from the Ministry of Environment & Tourism to that of Land & Agriculture. I assume this is a mistake and will be corrected.
While we do not know what tourism policy changes the UDC Government will adopt, the existing legislative framework for tourism development in Botswana is designed to promote sustainable and responsible tourism while balancing conservation and economic growth. Botswana’s tourism approach is governed by a range of policies, acts, and regulations aimed at fostering tourism as a key driver of the economy while ensuring the preservation of its natural and cultural heritage. Botswana’s tourism legislation thus focuses on sustainability, community involvement and the conservation and preservation of the country’s rich natural resources, making the country to be one of Africa’s leading wildlife-based tourism destinations.
Botswana has developed a set of policies and legislation to guide the sustainable development of the tourism and wildlife sectors. These frameworks aim to balance conservation, community engagement, and economic growth, with a strong focus on responsible tourism. These include: the Tourism Policy (2021) which seeks to position tourism as a major contributor to the nation’s economic diversification while promoting sustainable and responsible tourism practices; the Wildlife Conservation Policy of 2013 which is central to efforts to conserve Botswana’s rich biodiversity, especially its large populations of elephants, lions, and other wildlife species; the CBNRM Policy of 2007 which aims at empowering local communities by giving them the authority and responsibility to manage natural resources in a sustainable way and benefit through tourism development. There are several other laws and regulations which guide tourism and wildlife management, notably: Tourism Act, Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act and Regulations, Botswana Tourism Master Plan and Action Plan etc.
The Botswana Tourism Master Plan and its Action Plan of 2022 are comprehensive strategic documents designed to guide the sustainable growth and development of the tourism sector in Botswana. These plans provide a roadmap for the tourism industry, focusing on diversifying and strengthening Botswana’s tourism offerings, improving infrastructure, and ensuring that the sector contributes to economic growth while preserving the country’s natural and cultural heritage. The Botswana Tourism Master Plan and Action Plan thus provide a strategic framework for the development of the tourism industry, emphasizing sustainability, infrastructure improvement, diversification, and community involvement. These plans are essential in guiding Botswana toward achieving its 2036 vision of becoming a leading, sustainable tourism destination in Africa.
The UDC Government has a mandate from the people of Botswana to develop policies and laws that will benefit the country. The UDC Manifesto in Page 10 notes of developing “a comprehensive and Inclusive Tourism Plan”. In Page 20, the manifesto hopes to “promote and protect biodiversity plan to ensure peaceful human and wildlife co-existence”. Based on this understanding, I do not foresee a major shift and policy departure from the existing legislative and institutional framework when it comes to wildlife and tourism development including on trophy hunting and photographic tourism. Apart from CBNRM which went to Ministry of Lands & Agriculture, much of the institutional framework including the name “Ministry of Environment & Tourism” and its functions remain unchanged as reported in the Government Gazette. However, I would expect improvements in policy implementation, achievement of targets and a speedy service delivery from the UDC government. This includes the conclusion on lease agreements for concession areas in the Okavango Delta and many other services.
