The Okavango delta: The value of tourism

Tourism in the Okavango Delta, Botswana's largest tourist destination, contributes significantly more to the national economy than diamond mining and trading. The study estimates that tourism generates substantial economic value, surpassing other sectors when compared globally. It employs secondary data analysis to quantify direct consumptive (e.g., lodging, services) and non-consumptive use values (e.g., wildlife viewing), while a tourist survey gauges the delta's existence value—its intangible cultural or ecological significance. Findings underscore tourism’s outsized role in Botswana’s economy and its potential for sustainable development, offering policy insights for balancing economic growth with conservation efforts.

Mopelwa, G., & Blignaut, J. (2014). The Okavango delta: The value of tourism. South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, 9(1), 113–127. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajems.v9i1.1161