Tourism Statistics Dashboard to track

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on April 13 launched the Tourism Statistics Dashboard. The Tourism Statistics Dashboard will allow tracking of visitor trends, measure sectoral performance, and identify opportunities for growth. It will strengthen Botswana tourism statistical system, enabling government to measure tourism’s true contribution to the economy.

Launching the project, Minister of Environment and Tourism Mr Wynter Mmolotsi, said for tourism to thrive in a competitive global environment, decisions must be guided by accurate, timely, and accessible data. Therefore, he said the dashboard was a response to that need, since it was a bridge between evidence and action, as well as between aspiration and achievement. “The launch of the dashboard is timely as government prepares for the implementation of National Development Plan 12 (NDP12).

NDP12 calls for stronger systems of monitoring and evaluation, and for evidence-based strategies that ensure every sector contributes meaningfully to national priorities. The Statistics Dashboard also aligns with the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP), which places emphasis on diversifying the economy, creating jobs, and building resilience. Mr Mmolotsi said with its wide linkages to transport, agriculture, culture, and services, it was a natural engine for transformation.

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He added that the dashboard would help government identify where tourism could accelerate diversification, stimulate innovation, and deliver inclusive growth. Furthermore, Mr Mmolotsi said the data would ensure that Botswana tourism policies were inclusive, strategies sustainable and actions were impactful. He said with the dashboard, Botswana was best equipped to be positioned as a destination of choice, a country where nature, culture and innovation meet.

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