Botswana’s President, Seretse Khama Ian Khama, has launch launched the country’s Dams tourism project at Shashe Dam.
The project, which is a joint collaboration between Botswana Tourism Organisation, BTO, Water Utilities Corporation, WUC, and the communities living around dams throughout the country, envisions that dam tourism activities will be sustained in harmony with the primary users of the dams.
It is also expected to contribute towards the diversification of the BTO tourism product and the improvement of the livelihoods of the people.
Speaking during the launch, the Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Mr. Tshekedi Khama, praised the President for his leadership in the development of the dams tourism initiative. He also thanked WUC for their assistance during the development of master plans for dam tourism.
He explained that Shashe, Letsibogo and Thune dams were in the plan to be developed. Mr. Khama noted that the project was meant to uplift the economic livelihoods of communities through the development of lodges, campsites, cycling, horse riding and fishing.
The Minister explained that as soon as the project kicks off, the dam would be fenced off to avoid environmental pollution.
Mr. Khama stressed that about two thousand jobs would be generated from the dam tourism projects around the country with 636 envisaged at the Shashe Dam during the development phase.
On other issues, Minister Khama said that they would carry out the project in collaboration with the Local Enterprise Authority to assist business start up from the local communities with skills.
