Botswana says commited to eco-tourism

GABORONE, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Botswana is committed to environmentally sustainable tourism, the nation's environment and tourism minister Tshekedi Khama said on Friday.

Khama made the remarks after the International Symposium and Annual Conference of 10YFP Sustainable Tourism Program held from Dec. 18 to 21 in Kasane.

"The government has made a deliberate decision to boost eco-tourism because we are not sure natural resources will last unless we make a point to protect them," said Khama.

He said the development would attract more tourists, thus boosting the country's tourism growth.

Tourism is Botswana's second largest income earner and the country. According to official estimates, Botswana received 1.6 million visitors in 2015 and generated about 1 billion U.S. dollars in monetary gains.

While tourism accounted for only 3.3 percent of the country's total gross domestic product (GDP) in 2015, the sector has created some 140,000 job opportunities in this diamond-rich nation, according to official figures.

United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary General Taleb Rifai said sustainable tourism has proven not only to boost economic development, create jobs but also to promote the inclusion of communities.

The symposium saw the launch of the Kasane Call to Action for Sustainable Consumption and Production in Tourism. Enditem