The Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) said it sponsored scores of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to participate at the annual premier German tourism Indaba to help them access global markets and enhance their growth prospects.
The ITB Berlin Convention is the go-to event in the travel industry, attracting participants from over 170 countries. It gathers leading figures and businesses from across the global tourism landscape.
Tasked with fostering entrepreneurship and SMME development in Botswana, LEA supported five SMMES in the tourism industry to attend the two-day event in Germany in the first week of March.
LEA said this will help them tap into global markets, thereby enhancing their competitiveness and contributing to Botswana’s economic diversification efforts.
The initiative was part of LEA’s commitment to providing targeted interventions, particularly in sectors hit hard by external challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Head of Market Access at LEA, Shatho Orapeleng, said the significance of supporting the tourism sector – which faced adversity during the pandemic – is to help SMME access international markets. She highlighted the pivotal role of events like ITB Berlin in facilitating recovery and expansion opportunities for local businesses.
“The main objective for facilitating SMME participation at shows such as the ITB Berlin is for them to sell their offerings to international markets and ultimately secure that market for the growth and expansion of their businesses,” Orapeleng said.
The SMMEs, spanning various tourism subsectors including travel agencies, mobile safaris, and hospitality, showcased their unique offerings under the Botswana Tourism stall alongside 19 other local companies.
Their presence also positioned Botswana as a diverse and compelling tourism destination among an international audience of industry stakeholders and potential visitors.
He underscored the importance of leveraging these natural assets such as Makgadikgadi and the Okavango Delta to attract discerning travelers seeking authentic and immersive experiences.
Two other SMMEs were self-sponsored, a testament to the perceived value and efficacy of such international platforms in driving business growth and development.
LEA remains committed to supporting SMMEs in their quest for market access and international exposure.
Orapeleng disclosed plans to facilitate SMME participation in upcoming events such as Travel INDABA and World Travel Market Africa, underscoring LEA’s ongoing efforts to nurture entrepreneurship and propel Botswana’s tourism sector onto the global stage.
