European tour operators Confirm for BTTE
| Monday November 18, 2013 17:01
Statistics point out that there were an estimated 2.1 million tourist (overnight) arrivals in Botswana in 2010. Statistics also show that the growth of tourist arrivals since 1994 has averaged 10.1% per annum.
Myra Sekgororoane, BTO CEO stated that they specifically selected the European tour operators as their statistics show that Europe is currently Botswana's biggest market in terms of the total overseas arrivals in the country.
'We have therefore found it fitting that we put more effort into capitalising on the already existing interest in Botswana by Europe,' she said.
Sekgororoane stated that the expo would be a business-to-business platform that will greatly benefit Botswana in increasing the sales of tour packages from Europe to Botswana.
'European tour operators really responded very well beyond our expectations,' she said.
The expected outcome from the expo by hosting European tour operators is an increase in tourist arrivals from Europe, an increase in awareness of Botswana as a prime tourist destination of choice, and increased awareness of specific tourism destinations within the country.
'We also look for growth in business networking for our local tourism operators with European wholesale and tour operators,' Sekgororoane said. Amongst the objectives of the BTTE, Sekgororoane said it would serve as an educational process to the tour operators who sell Botswana to external markets. 'We want the tour operators to know Botswana intimately so that when they sell our country they have extensive knowledge and experience of it, having visited,' she stated.
Sekgororoane further noted that through BTTE they also wish to highlight to the domestic and international markets that Botswana offers much more variety and rich experiences and introduce attractions which range from pristine ecosystems as well as world-class accommodation facilities and cultural experiences.
Despite threats by Survival International (SI) to boycott Botswana tourism, Sekgororoane revealed that EU tour operators are aware of the issue, and have ignored it, as they will be coming to the expo.
'The three tour operators that have decided to join SI on their campaign were not even in the initial screening list,' she said. Air Botswana, one of the BTO sponsors, has vowed to support the initiative and ensure that it is a success.
'We are pulling all measures to ensure that the delegates' arrival runs smoothly, without a hitch,' Acting Air Botswana General Manager Joe Motse said, stating that their role is to facilitate travel. The official opening of BTTE will be held at Seboba Nature and Recreational Park and officially opened by the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Tshekedi Khama.