The Local Tourism Industry In Botswana Tourism Essay

The Local touristry Industry In Botswana Tourism Essay1.0 INTRODUCTION1.1 BACKGROUND TO searchBotswana is a relatively lowly country located in S appearhern Africa, sandwiched between S come forthh Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. A landlocked country, yet what it lacks in coastline, it more than makes up for in tourist attractions that nonplus pul take in visitors from across the solid ground. Known mostly for the Okavango Delta, the Kalahari Desert and its Bushmen, and the numerous wildlife sanctuaries and parks that ar a host to numerous endangered species.With a population of approximately 1.8 million people, mostly Setswana speaking, it has enjoyed 40 years of independency and gained its reputation as oneness of the fastest let oning nations since, transforming itself from one of the poorest in the world, to a middle economy country. These great achievements redeem propelled Botswana into recognition as one of the most politic all toldy and economically stable in Africa. For a long time, Botswanas economy has been to a great extent dependent on the mining intentness, self-praise over 75% of the countrys export earnings. Although the country is also rich in copper, nickel and gold, diamonds argon the most profitable. They were first discovered in the juvenile 1960s, and since, the industry has flourished and established itself as the worlds big(a)st producer of gem-quality diamonds. This industry is in no doubt responsible for assisting in and facilitating the speedy development of the country. Other nominate sectors include the agricultural industry ( trade quality beef), textile and livestock industries, exporting quality beef.One of the most important objectives of government policy towards achieving its muckle 2016 is the diversification of the economy a track from dependence on the mining sector. In recent years, the growing touristry industry has proven itself as a significant contrisolelyor to the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and economic egress. With the countrys emulous advantage of its vast natural resources and offerings, it is automatically put it in a position where it can prosper not just regionally, but foreignly as well.This growth and prosperity can be attributed to initiatives taken by the government in hunting lodge to boost and improve the industry. Various strategies and policies have been implemented to try and spur private robement. It has initiated campaigns for the development and improvement of the facilities in the National and wildlife parks in order to preserve the environment and its ecosystems. irrelevant investment is encouraged, although single if those wishing to do so conduct stick ventures with the citizens, to promote their involvement in the development of the industry. They introduced a policy which allowed some(prenominal) exotic and topical anaesthetic anaesthetic anaesthetic investors in tourism, among other selected sectors, to receive grants from the Gov ernment, clearly gave a boost to investment in tourismAll these developments have led to an gain in international visitors which in turn has led to an increase in the drive for appointment, and therefrom an increase in the building of hotels and lodges.Extracted from FDI AND touristry THE DEVELOPMENT DIMENSION, EAST AND SOUTHERN AFRICA. A United Nations Case force field 2003The hotels that have been established are both local anaesthetic anestheticly and internationally own, however enquiry reveals that ownership is dominated by international companies and individuals. The most everyday of these hotels are Sun International (a South African franchise), Cresta Hotels (another South African franchise belonging to the TA Group), The Grand Palm and Mondior Summit (a piece of the South African Mondior Company).In an ideal environment, it would have been the other counseling more or less, with industrial control fully domestic instead of dependent on foreign aid. The drawbacks of having an unbalanced ownership scale (or one that is not heavily domestic) in the tourism industry, include loosing vital revenues overheared to foreigners and the inability of achieve revenue maximization by the government and the citizens.The presence of these multinational hotel shackles is evidence that the initiatives taken by the government to boost the industry are eventive. However, only to a limited extent be coiffe in order for the industry to survive, they have to allow foreign investors to participate but this is pushing the industry into the hands of these foreigners and away from those who can benefit from it the most the citizens.With this proposal, I qualify to breakthrough out if there is a relationship between the large internationally owned hotels and lodges and the significantly smaller locally owned ones.1.2 RESEARCH PROBLEMThe tourism industry in Botswana is still in its growth phase, with government programs dedicated to the upgrading and developmen t of the areas that attract most tourists. The hotel industry is one that has seen considerable growth in relation to the governments policy. In order to help expand this industry, the government has favored foreign investment and made it easier for foreigners to invest on a long term basis with political and economic stability providing an ideal investment climate. As a result, the hospitality and accommodation sectors have seen numerous international hotels, lodges and hotel chains set up around the country.Although significant for a maturing industry, the abundance of internationally owned and operated establishments signals an inequality in the ownership when compared to the locally operated establishments. The industry is dominated by foreign proprietors and it seems they are overpowering local entrepreneurship.The irony of the mail is that in order for tourists to catch the genuine Setswana environment, they would have to place themselves in an atmosphere that would reflect the square Setswana lifestyle, and that is more than often found in a locally owned establishment. The victor of these international hotels is testament to numerous situations, such asthe local hotels arent performing to meet the standards of the touristsMost of the internationally operated hotels around Botswana can be classified as 5star, and for the economically well-off visitor, luxury and comfort whitethorn play a larger role than experiencing the Setswana lifestyle in choosing where to stay. there is also a level of quality that can be anticipate when dealing with an internationally established and world renowned hotel that may cause visitors to automatically opt for it instead of trying out a local hotel. This is not to suggest that the local hotels are not up to par, but the unfortunately the reputation of an international hotel, far exceeds that of a local one.the tourists are not conscious of their servicesAs more and more of the world business is turning electronic, i.e over the network, more and more tourists rely on the internet to inform them on where to stay, and the use of the travel agent as an intermediary between the hotel and the tourist is slowly becoming obsolete. It has taken a little bit longer for some businesses to realize the importance of the internet as a merchandise tool, and its ability to help them reach out to potential customers. Many hotels have not yet come to this actualisation and it is this way that they missing out on opportunities by failing to tell on themselves to a wider audience. Advertising plays an important role in determining the success or failure of a company and if it fails to run an effective marketing scheme then it ordain receive limited responses.Either of these situations results in loss of revenue for the local hospitality and accommodation sector and all those involved. These here and nows have a long term domino effect, where one situation triggers the other, or one situation is the direct or indirect consequence of another. Such asManagerial positions are dominated by foreignersThe only posts reserved for locals are those with lower salariesGeneral failure of the industry to set up to the development of the local community and the eradication of poverty.1.2.1 PROBLEM STATEMENTThe local tourism market in Botswana is saturated by large foreign owned hotels and this is pushing the locally owned ones into the background.1.2.2 RESEARCH QUESTIONThe spirit of this research proposal is to answer the question What is the impact of the international hotel giants on the local accommodation and hospitality market?My intention is conduct a qualitative study by interviewing local entrepreneurs to get an in-depth and personal persuasion on the role that these hotel giants play in the industry.RESEARCH OBJECTIVEThe goal of this study is to assess the impact that international hotel franchises have on the local hospitality and accommodation market in Botswana. This study can be br oken down into categories that when concluded, should give a clear understanding of the to a higher place mentioned issue.To recognize the relationship between the abundance of the internationally operated hotels and lodges and the scarcity of locally owned ones.To determine the impact that these international giants on the local hotels.To psychoanalyse the repercussions that the international hotel chains have on the local tourism industry.To develop research in this area in order to recognize how the flow situation can be overcome.1.4 JUSTIFICATION OF RESEARCHThe reason I have chosen this particular topic is because the tourism industry in Botswana is rapidly becoming a vital contributor to the countrys GDP, as the need for economic diversification away from the mining industry becomes more urgent. As a vital part of the economy, it is important that the public be aware of all aspects that contribute to its growth. By creating public awareness on how the local market is influen ced by these foreign giants, it is my hope that they forget take initiatives to be more supportive and more participative in the industry.Another reason for engage this topic is because research previously conducted has been limited and non specific, . . . .RESEARCH METHODOLOGYThe elementary purpose of this research is to find out if and how the local entrepreneurs business has been bear upon by the international hotel chains. What I want find out is the experience, panorama and feelings of these entrepreneurs towards these hotels.The best way to collect this information would be through conducting an interview, specifically a structured interview. I chose this system becauseIt allows for me to investigate the thoughts, views, assumption, feelings, attitudes and perceptions of the interviewee which cannot be provided by any other method of data collection.It allows me to ask more composite questions and also the ability to validate the data as I collect it, which improves t he overall quality of the data.Due to geographic constraints, my interviews are going to have to be conducted over the phone. The advantages of telephone interview includeMore exemption for the interviewee because they are not under pressure from a face-to-face scenario, therefore the interviewee feels more comfortable.This also means that their responses will be more naive and open.SAMPLE SIZEI intend to interview a center of ten local businesses located all around the country, in order to determine whether it is a national or just localized phenomenon. I want to find out the opinion of the businessman and woman in all tourist attractions around Botswana to establish whether their view is universal.PROJECT abstractionChapter 1 IntroductionThis starts with a brief description of Botswanas economic news report and the contribution that the tourism industry is making towards it. The Research Problem describes how the psychiatric hospital of International hotels signifies the gro wth of the industry but that may be at the expense of the local entrepreneurs. Therefore it is my responsibility with this project to find out exactly how these hotels have touch on local businesses and to achieve this, I will conduct interview with ten of these businessmen and women.Chapter 2 Literature check overThe exploration and analysis of secondary data procured over the internet. I will study journals related to or contributing to the topic, in order to find out the significance of my research.Chapter 3 Research FrameworkThis is an in-depth analysis of the method of data collection, sample sizes and distribution in order to inform the referee on every step of primary data collection process.1.7 DELIMITATIONS OF reachingThe scope of this research is limited to local entrepreneurs in the accommodation and hospitality industry in Botswana, although only those involved in the operation of hotels, lodges or guest houses. The aim of this research is to solicit their opinion on the effect that the international hotel giants have on their businesses with the assumption is that they have all been affected either in a good or bad way by the success of these international hotels.This research will provide an analytic view of how these local businesses are doing in comparison to the hotels, and this information will be useful to these entrepreneurs in trying to improve the current situation.CHAPTER drumheadThis chapter is an introductory chapter that starts off by describing the economic history of Botswana and the influence that the tourism industry has had. The main issue revolves around how this industry has seen the establishment of international hotels and what role these hotels play on the local hospitality and accommodation market. The research questions outline what type of information Im trying to solicit and the choice of data collection most suitable for that is through conducting interviews.http//www.bidpa.bw/docs/archive/Economic%20Diversifica tion/TheTourismSector.pdfhttp//botswana.usembassy.gov/resources/commercial-section/tourism-and-investment.html