Botswana | Launching a Major Push for Sustainable Tourism, Introducing New Regulations and Expanding its MICE Sector

Botswana Tourism is launching a major push for sustainable tourism, introducing new regulations and significantly expanding its Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, highlighted by hosting AviaDev Africa 2026, a key aviation forum aimed at enhancing air connectivitiy within and beyond the African continent, actively working attract more business tourism, diversify beyond wildlife, with the purpose to welcome visitors like lifestyle and arts tourists, all under a broader sustainable development framework.

Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) CEO Keitumestse Setlang has reaffirmed a sustainability - led growth agenda and confirmed that a revised Community - Based Natural Resources Management policy has been approved by Parliament, with implementing regulations being finalised.

Speaking on the VA Tourism Podcast at the AirlinePros Global Conference in Cape Town, South Africa on 04^th December, the CEO of Botswana Tourism said the current policy remains in place until the new framework takes effect, adding that a video address by President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko signalled strong government backing top international partners.

BTO CEO outlined a bigger push into MICE sector, with Botswana to host AviaDev Africa from 10^th to 12th June 2026, a major milestone, signalling growth in business tourism alongside ongoing upgrades to convention facilities.

Concerning sustainability drive, Botswana focuses on a commitment to sustainable practice, integrating environmental, social, and economic aspects into tourism development, aligning with global practices.

Part of the strategic plan is also the imnplementation of new regulations that involve revised Community -  Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) rules and broader sector changes to support sustainability.

Diversification beyond traditional wildlife safaris assets is a focal point for the country and includes the promotion of lifestyle and creative - arts tourism, and agritourism, all under a borader sustainable development framework, while sport events continue to draw visitors.

Air access is improving through South African Airways’ Gaborone - Johannesburg service, increased frequencies by Airlink and Ethiopian Airline on Maun routes, and services from FlyNamibia and ProfFlight.

Botswana Tourism Organisation is targeting at least 10% arrivals growth in 2026 from a record 1.8 million visitors and aims to double numbers within five years.

In essence, Botswana is modernising and reinforcing its tourism sector with a strong sustainability focus, leveraging new rules and infrastructure to attract diverse tourism, especially in the growing MICE sector, while building on its core wildlife appeal.

 Link

https://atta.travel/resource/botswana-tourism-sets-sustainability-drive-new-rules-and-mice-push.html