Joseph Mbaiwa, a professor of tourism studies at the Okavango Research Institute of the University of Botswana, has counseled the recently elected Umbrella for Democratic Change Government to enhance policy execution.

Mbaiwa told The Okavango Express that aside from vague claims in its 2024 election manifesto, UDC is yet to formulate a clear policy on the environment and tourism portfolio.

Mbaiwa added that since Batswana are excluded from the existing high value, low volume tourist policy, the UDC states in their manifesto that they will create an inclusive tourism policy.

” I have a suspicion that the author of this section does not completely comprehend government policies. Sustainable tourism development is a topic covered by the present tourism policy. Sustainability refers to how tourism benefits all. The 1990 tourist policy used the high value, low volume method. However, the 2021–2022 updated policy also encourages sustainability. Furthermore, the principles of environmental sustainability and community participation promotion serve as the foundation for the CBNRM Policy, the ecotourism strategy, and the 2022 tourist master plan.

Mbaiwa points out that the UDC manifesto addresses topics like advocating for the development of tourism that is pro-poor. Mbaiwa continued by saying that the current policies may readily provide the groundwork for the adoption of a pro-poor tourism development strategy.
“The manifesto talks about pro-poor policies, which is what the current policies are aiming for,” he restated. The only thing missing is execution. When it comes to tourism and the environment, Botswana boasts some of the greatest policies in the world. Lack of funding and implementation have been the issues. We simply need to use a pro-poor strategy to make minor improvements here and there.

Mbaiwa suggested that in order to guarantee inclusive tourism policy, the government should cut down on tourism revenue leaks to prevent funds from moving entirely to other nations, sufficiently strengthen community trusts, and guarantee that they receive the full benefits of the community-based natural resources programme.
‘’Since trusts are merely landlords that rent out concessions while tourism businesses keep all the money, they are not yet fully benefiting from CBNRM’’ he added.

Regarding trophy hunting, Mbaiwa stated that he does not anticipate the UDC Government to curtail hunting or significantly alter the regulations. He pointed out that the manifesto specifically calls for the coexistence of humans and wildlife to be promoted. “The government must keep promoting trophy hunting as a conservation tool in order for people to have a positive perception of wildlife.” Therefore, I don’t see them ceasing or outlawing hunting but rather carrying on.

How might former President Ian Khama persuade the UDC Government to cease hunting? In Mbaiwa’s opinion, if this happens it would be bad for conservation. However, he explained that Khama revelations that he was resuming his chieftainship is good news and a prove that he would have little influence on the Government of the day.   Furthermore, he doesn’t think the UDC government will just abandon all of the measures that were successful during the previous administration.

Mbaiwa reaffirmed that for communities to thrive, genuine joint venture partnerships are necessary. He suggested that community trusts should hire qualified management firms to handle their affairs. ‘’The proprietors of the majority of tourism businesses in Okavango Delta reside outside of Botswana, but they have hired qualified management firms to oversee their camps on their behalf. By forming appropriate joint venture agreements, the community trusts may take the same action regarding the concessions they are given, which would be advantageous to them.’’