1587036173

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL RESOURCES
CONSERVATION AND TOURISM
UPDATE ON IMPLEMEMENTATION OF MEASURES AGAINST THE

COVID – 19 ON THE TOURISM SECTOR
Director of Ceremonies
Honourable Ministers Present Here
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen
The Media Fraternity
1. Worldwide, the tourism sector is currently one of the hardest hit

by the outbreak of COVID-19 with impacts of both supply and
demand. Considering the evolving nature of the situation, it is too
early to estimate the full impact of the COVID-19 tourism within
Botswana and internationally.
2. The World Tourism Organisation estimates that in 2020 global

international tourist arrival could decline between 1% and 3%
down from an estimated growth of 3% to 4% forecast in early
January 2020. This could translate into a loss of US$30 to 50
billion in spending by international visitors (International Tourism
receipt).
3. The hospitality and tourism industry in Botswana has already

suffered substantial losses of business and value with hotels
operating at 10% capacity. Most of the citizens guest houses and
campsites have closed because of limited business.
4. The decrease in tourist arrivals will result in reduction of revenue

for the Botswana especially from main source markets e.g. Europe
and the emerging markets of Asia which have been growing in
1
recent years. The outbreak of the Corona Virus will also affect the
country’s development priorities as there is need to reprioritize
funding towards containment of the virus.
5. Following the Statement by His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K.

Masisi President of the Republic of Botswana on the Declaration
of the State of emergency in Botswana regarding the outbreak of
COVID – 19, I wish to provide an update on the implementation of
key issues within my Ministry.
6. Ladies and gentlemen, the tourism sector, like no other economic

activity with social impact is based on interaction amongst people.
Personal responsibility is therefore the most important step that
people can take to protect themselves and others. Batswana
should familiarize themselves with the basic prevention practices
that apply including;
 Regular hand-washing
 Normal cough etiquette
 Postponing travel plans
 Avoiding contact with people suffering from acute respiratory
inspectorial.
 Adherence to the mandated standards of social distancing at
work, in public spaces and at home
Everyone is responsible not only for their own well-being but for
the well-being of those around them. They should be aware of
the symptoms and take the recommended steps for personal
hygiene.
CONSULTATION
The COVID 19 mitigation measures for the tourism sector

followed extensive engagement with the tourism industry in
2
particular the Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO),
Botswana Guides Association (BOGA), Guest House Association
of Botswana, Travel Agents Association of Botswana (TAABOT)
and Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB).
We have also received proposals from the Botswana Wildlife
Producers Association (BWPA). I am happy to announce that
almost all of their concerns and proposals have been considered
favourably by the Government of Botswana, and duly
contributed to the modalities for establishment and
implementation of the COVID 19 relief fund.
SUMMARY OF CHALLENGES AND REMEDIAL ACTIONS
Emerging issue Challenges Remedial Action

Access to health There will be provision of
Health services for relief for air support to allow
management government staff timely deployment of
resources including goods,
stationed in the
health care services, food
Game Reserves and and deployment of staff.
National Parks.
There shall be standby
aircrafts to provide transport
on emergencies to and from
the national parks.
Access to health There shall be frequent

services for staff inspection of tourism
employed in the facilities for compliance with
health requirements.
tourism industry
operating in the
Delta, Game
Reserves and
National Parks
3
Limited awareness of In partnership with Ministry
COVID 19 case of Health, there shall be
management intensive awareness
protocols building on the staff
stationed in Parks on COVID
19.
We are also considering the

deployment of medical
health staff in Parks to serve
both government and private
sector employees to avoid
them having to travel to
medical centres for minor
medical check-up. This will
also aid in early detection of
symptoms of COVID 19.
Communication Delayed reporting of MENT is procuring satellite

COVID 19 symptoms phones (at least 1 phone per
may perpetuate the Park) and WIFI connection
spread of the disease. for all stations in the Parks
There are currently to allow for effective
weak communication communication especially in
systems in the reporting any suspected
National Parks and COVID 19 symptoms.
Game Reserves to
facilitate timely
reporting.
People counselling Psychosocial impacts There shall be a provision of

of failing to attend counselling services as when
funerals of family need arises
members due to
Lockdown
4
Poaching Increase in Poaching MENT is currently deploying
during lockdown due additional personnel to
to restricted National Parks to strengthen
movement of patrols anti-poaching efforts during
teams. the COVID 19 pandemic.
Withdrawal of troops Procurement of additional

of law enforcement body bags for poachers is
institutions in also at advanced stages. The
poachers are therefore
support of COVID 19
warned that their time is
restrictions inland over in Botswana.
Legal issues The applicability of All the Hotels are bound by

Trade Moratorium to the trade and MoH
Tourism licences regulations on restrictions.
issued under They are therefore expected
Tourism Act. to comply with the said
regulations in running their
operations.
Hunting Unmarketability of The hunting season will be

hunting quota extended until December
following 2020. The decision will be
international reviewed in light of
movement developments on COVID 19
restrictions and if necessary, extended
until February 2020.
Revenue collection Increase in user fees The planned Park fee

may result in over- increase has been deferred
burden of already until further notice.
In order to reduce the
financially stressed
movement of citizens to our
tourism sector. offices, the operators whose
licenses shall be expiring
during the lockdown will be
allowed to continue
5
operating. Their licenses will
be treated as valid.
Penalties will be waived for

non-payment of live fees and
tourism bed levy at due
times.
Monitory / Fiscal The effect of COVID The Tourism sector is

Policy 19 on the tourism enjoined to familiarise
businesses has been themselves with the COVID
19 monitory policies as
enormous. This has
announced by the Minister
prompted the of Finance. The established
government to relief fund is expected to
engage with financial support to support the
institutions to define tourism sector especially on
the necessary wage subsidies that will
mitigation measures. enable the businesses to
retain their employees
during the pandemic.
The industry is encouraged
to liaise with the Ministry of
finance on the guidelines for
accessing the Fund.
Lastly, I wish underscore the importance of cooperation in the true

sense of the word as key to our success against the COVID – 19
outbreak.
I thank you

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MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL RESOURCES

CONSERVATION AND TOURISM

UPDATE ON IMPLEMEMENTATION OF MEASURES AGAINST THE

Honourable Ministers Present Here

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen

The Media Fraternity

1. Worldwide, the tourism sector is currently one of the hardest hit

2. The World Tourism Organisation estimates that in 2020 global

3. The hospitality and tourism industry in Botswana has already

4. The decrease in tourist arrivals will result in reduction of revenue

5. Following the Statement by His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K.

6. Ladies and gentlemen, the tourism sector, like no other economic

The COVID 19 mitigation measures for the tourism sector

SUMMARY OF CHALLENGES AND REMEDIAL ACTIONS

Emerging issue Challenges Remedial Action

Access to health There shall be frequent

We are also considering the

Communication Delayed reporting of MENT is procuring satellite

People counselling Psychosocial impacts There shall be a provision of

Withdrawal of troops Procurement of additional

Legal issues The applicability of All the Hotels are bound by

Hunting Unmarketability of The hunting season will be

Revenue collection Increase in user fees The planned Park fee

Penalties will be waived for

Monitory / Fiscal The effect of COVID The Tourism sector is

Lastly, I wish underscore the importance of cooperation in the true

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