According to the latest World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Economic Impact report for Botswana, positive growth is expected for the country over the next ten years
“Inclusive growth and ensuring a future with quality jobs are the concerns of governments everywhere. Travel & Tourism, which already supports one in every ten jobs on the planet is a dynamic engine of employment opportunity. Over the past ten years, one in five of all jobs created across the world has been in the sector and, with the right regulatory conditions and government support, nearly 100 million new jobs could be created (globally) over the decade ahead,” says Gloria Manzo, President and Ceo of WTTC, in her foreword to the report.
“Over the longer term, forecast growth of the Travel & Tourism sector will continue to be robust as millions of people are moved to travel to see the wonders of the world,” says Manzo.
Tourism’s Contribution to Botswana GDP
According to the report, Travel & Tourism contributed 3.8% to Botswana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2017. This is forecast to rise by 5.8% in 2018 and is expected to grow by 4.5% pa (3.9% of GDP) by 2028. This primarily reflects the economic activity generated by industries such as hotels, travel agents, airlines and other passenger transportation.
The total contribution of Travel & Tourism to GDP (including wider effects from investment, the supply chain and induced income impacts, was 11.5% of GDP in 2017 and is expected to grow by 4.9% (11.6% of GDP) in 2018. It is forecast to rise by 4.5% pa by 2028 (11.7% of GDP).
Tourism’s Contribution to Employment in Botswana
Travel & Tourism generated 26,000 jobs directly in 2017 (2.6% of total employment) and this is forecast to grow by 4.3% in 2018 to 27,000 (excluding commuter services). It also includes, for example, the activities of the restaurant and leisure industries directly supported by tourists.
By 2028, Travel & Tourism will account for 42,000 jobs directly, an increase of 4.5% pa over the next ten years.
The total contribution of Travel & Tourism to employment (including wider effects from investment, the supply chain and induced income impacts was 76,000 jobs in 2017 (7.6% of total employment). This is forecast to rise by 3.6% in 2018 to 78,500 jobs (7.7% of total employment). By 2028, Travel & Tourism is forecast to support 102,000 jobs (8.3% of total employment), an increase of 2.6% pa over the period.
Visitor Exports
Visitor exports are a key component of the direct contribution of Travel & Tourism. In 2017, Botswana generated BWP7,119.6mn in visitor exports. In 2018, this is expected to grow by 5.7%, and by 2028, international tourist arrivals are forecast to total 2,847,000, generating expenditure of BWP11,791.1mn, an increase of 4.6% pa.
Investment
Travel & Tourism is expected to have attracted capital investment of BWP4,596.8mn in 2017. This is expected to rise by 3.3% in 2018, and rise by 4.5% pa over the next ten years to BWP7,357.2mn in 2028. Travel & Tourism’s share of total national investment will rise from 8.4% in 2018 to 8.6% in 2028.
The full report can be downloaded at wttc.org
