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In a landmark moment for Botswana’s tourism and leisure sector, President Duma Boko officially opened the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) Conference on 24 April 2025, in Maun. The prestigious gathering marked HATAB’s 40th anniversary with high-level discussions reflecting on the sector’s legacy and future.
Highlights
- President Duma Boko opened the 40th HATAB Conference this morning in Maun.
- Called for a reorientation of tourism around community ownership, value addition, and land reform.
- Around 250 stakeholders gathered to explore strategies for sustainable tourism growth.
- Key themes included digital transformation, investment facilitation, and inclusive development.
- The event celebrated four decades of policy influence and sectoral development.
Themed “Botswana Tourism: What are the Conditions for Growth?”, the conference aimed to provoke thoughtful answers to one of the most critical questions facing the industry. President Boko, known for his reflective oratory, set the tone for two days of robust dialogue and celebration.
In his remarks, the President emphasized that Botswana’s tourism sector must now focus on value addition, community ownership, and long-term sustainability. Drawing parallels with successful models in countries like Rwanda, he advocated for a homegrown approach rooted in Botswana’s unique heritage, land use, and entrepreneurial culture.
In an address posted by the President’s official Facebook page, President Boko highlighted the need for a shift in thinking from aid to trade, and from access to equity. He emphasized the role of indigenous knowledge, land-based economic development, and the centrality of Batswana ownership in the next growth phase of tourism.
“Let us not be tourists in our own land. Let us be owners, not just workers or spectators in this economy,” President Boko stated to resounding applause.
Boko also called for the tourism sector to be reimagined around local communities, land tenure reform, and the redirection of tourism revenue to empower marginalized citizens.
Milestone Gathering of Industry Titans
Held on 24 and 25 April in Maun, the event drew an estimated 250 key stakeholders from across Botswana and beyond, including government officials, private sector leaders, NGOs, and international partners.
Minister of Environment and Tourism Wynter Mmolotsi delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the strategic role of tourism in economic diversification and job creation.
A Dynamic Agenda with a Legacy in Mind
The conference featured:
- Keynote Sessions from global and regional tourism experts.
- Interactive Workshops on innovation, community-based tourism, and digital trends.
- Roundtable Dialogues on policy effectiveness, investment strategies, and national accounting frameworks.
- Anniversary Celebrations honoring pioneers and influencers in Botswana’s tourism story.
Tackling the Sector’s Big Questions
The event covered a spectrum of topics, including:
- Botswana’s Emerging Economic Reality: Whither Tourism?
- Sectoral Performance: Recent Trends and Near-Term Prospects
- Diversifying the Tourism Product & Maximising Linkages
- The Role of Tourism in the National Accounts
- Facilitating Investment, Sustainability, and Community Participation
Stakeholders discussed the evolving challenges and opportunities in the tourism space, particularly around policy alignment, infrastructure, and inclusive development.
A Platform for Policy Innovation
For four decades, the HATAB Conference has shaped tourism strategy, championed local capacity building, and influenced regulatory reform. This year’s event reinforced its role as a crucible of policy innovation.
With renewed momentum from this morning’s opening by President Boko, and a call for local empowerment and indigenous ownership, the tourism sector is poised to emerge stronger, more inclusive, and digitally enabled, prepared for both domestic growth and global competitiveness.
