Posted by Botswana Safari News on March 12, 2019 | No comments
HATAB Board Chairman, Dr Thapelo C. Matsheka's welcoming statement for the Hon. Kitso Mokaila
Dr Thapelo C. Matsheka, Chairman, HATAB.
Minister Mokaila, It is with profound gratitude that I warmly welcome you once again to the ministry.
I am Reliably informed that when you left the ministry in 2013, Cresta Marakanelo held a similar event for your send-off, and we are here again today to receive you back. Already you have been with the ministry for almost 4 months now, and let me confirm that we have thus far met with you as HATAB to appraise on the status of the tourism industry. Since we had already submitted our 2018 HATAB annual Conference Resolutions to your ministry for action, I am happy you have resolved most of the issues of which some of them had been pending resolutions for a substantial period of time. Amongst them being:
1.Government crowding out the private sector, such as instances where Botswana Tourism Organisation was competing with the private sector through events.
2.Tourism Levy
3.Appointment of the substantive Chief Executive Officer at the Botswana Tourism Organisation
4. The lifting of the Moratorium for development at Kasane
5. Kasane Kazungula redevelopment plan just to mention a few together with many others that you are still going to conclude.
It is indeed exciting that you have charted a new path of instilling hope within the sector. As we celebrate your return Hon Minister, I would like you to know that you have set the bar, our expectations are high as we believe we stand for the same ideals with Government being the development and growth of the tourism industry for the greater benefit of all.
We are hopeful that the different policies and legislative instrument that the ministry is currently reviewing and developing will be able to provide direction for example:
1. The Rapid evaluation of the tourism policy of 1990,
2. The development of the tourism policy,
3. And the national Tourism Strategy development.
We are engaging our members through the sector meetings for private sector input and comments on the developed draft tourism policy, and we will share them with your Ministry upon completion for consideration. Hon Minister these pieces of policies and the legislative instrument has been overtaken by time and are now impediments to doing business. I would like to urge the ministry that we move with speed for their conclusion. Hon Minister as you probably know, HATAB remains committed to continued and concerted efforts to promote and sustain increased private sector, and Cresta is a great example of this investment.
I do not necessarily wish to give a long speech, having Highlighted the few points above, and noting that there are many others that need to be discussed, I am confident that we will formulate a positive way forward on all issues affecting the industry. And thus reiterate our commitment as HATAB to continuously work with the Ministry in ensuring that tourism remains at the helm of the Botswana diversification program.
Thank You.
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