Volume: 13  Number: 3  Page: 203–227

The Problems and Prospects of Sustainable Tourism Development in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Joseph E. Mbaiwa University of Botswana, Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre, Private Bag 285, Maun, Botswana

The objective of this paper is to assess the problems and prospects of sustainable tourism development in developing countries with special reference to the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Using both secondary and primary data sources, this paper points out that tourism in developing countries does not always adhere to the principles of sustainable tourism development. In the Okavango Delta, the tourism industry is designed to meet the interests of tourists from developed countries and is dominated by foreign safari companies. The tourism industry in the Okavango Delta does not significantly take into consideration the sociocultural, economic and environmental needs of the host economy. It is characterised by: the marginalisation of local companies and investors; leakages and repatriation of tourism revenue from Botswana to developed countries; the failure of tourism to promote rural development and poverty alleviation; and, the failure to observe local environmental regulations to conserve the Okavango Delta as a natural ecosystem. This paper argues that, despite these problems, such destinations have the potential to contribute to sustainable tourism development. This requires a planning process that satisfies the needs of tourists and tour operators while being sensitive to the sociocultural, economic and environmental needs of host countries and destinations.

Keywords: Okavango Delta, sustainable development, sustainable tourism, rural development, developing countries, poverty alleviation

© 2005 J.E. Mbaiwa

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