Botswana

At independence in 1966, the tourism industry of Botswana was almost nonexistent. The sector has grown to become the second-largest contributor to the country’s economy; travel and tourism’s total [Page 162]contribution to the country’s GDP stood at 8.5% in 2014. Tourism has been identified and promoted as a way to diversify the country’s economy, which is heavily reliant on the mining industry, especially diamonds. As in many countries in the developing world, tourism is supported because it provides socioeconomic development and benefits for local people. Botswana promotes tourism for economic reasons, including the foreign currency gained and the creation of jobs but also as a means to protect the environment.

Because of its comparative advantage in wildlife and wilderness resources, the country heavily promotes nature-based tourism ...