Hotel companies, poverty and sustainable tourism in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Multinational hotel companies significantly contribute to the lucrative wildlife-based tourism industry in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. While these establishments generate substantial revenue through game drives, safaris, boating, and accommodation services, they also have mixed socio-economic impacts. Positive outcomes include job creation, income generation, and infrastructure development, primarily driven by multinational and South African hotel companies. However, negative effects such as revenue leakage, limited job opportunities for local citizens, and failure to alleviate rural poverty are notable. The study suggests that sustainable tourism approaches, particularly those involving citizen participation, could mitigate these negative impacts and enhance the overall benefits of the industry.

Mbaiwa, J. E. (2011). Hotel companies, poverty and sustainable tourism in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 7(1), 47–58. https://doi.org/10.1108/20425961201000030