Climate change policy in a world of uncertainty:changing environment, knowledge, and tourism in Botswana

Abstract Tourism is an important economic sector in the Global South. It is however vulnerable to the risks and variations associated with global climate change. The paper qualitatively investigates how issues surrounding uncertainty in the climate change discourse have influenced policy makers’ response to climate change in Botswana’s tourism sector. The analysis of the empirical data derived from in-depth interviews demonstrates that some policy makers remain skeptical about climate change and its impacts on tourism despite growing evidence from regional scientific research and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Constraints that hamper progress in policy response measures include inadequate knowledge of, and the extent to which, climate science can be trusted

Climate change, tourism, and community development:perceptions of Maun residents, Botswana

Abstract Tourism is a key economic sector and tool for community development in most developing countries. However, climate change remains one of the major threats to this development. This is especially so for countries such as Botswana whose tourism industry is largely nature based, making it vulnerable to the effects of environmental change. Consequently, communities who rely on tourism to some extent are also vulnerable to global climate change and its local effects. The purpose of this article is to examine community perceptions with regards to the tourism–climate change nexus in Maun, a key tourism hub in Botswana and dependent on the tourism economy. Data collection was done by means of a household survey. Interestingly, the results showed that most local people do not perceive tourism highly as a source of income. In practice, they depended on other forms of livelihoods like formal employment and farming. Furthermore, even though they have noted some changes in the environment and climate, they generally did not know the resultant impacts despite acknowledging that the tourism industry is bound to be affected. The low awareness levels may lead to inaction, and hence a clarion call to decision makers to develop information and adaptation strategies for communities that host tourist attractions to ensure resilience to anticipated effects of global climate change

Changing socio-ecologies of Kalahari:local perceptions towards environmental change and tourism in Kgalagadi, Botswana

Abstract Central parts of southern Africa are expected to face major environmental and economic changes in the near future, calling for proactive thinking on how local people could diversify their livelihoods. In Botswana, the tourism industry is considered as a major option for economic diversification and current tourism policies include a strong emphasis on tourism that participates in and benefits communities. The developmental impact of tourism depends on how the local communities perceive their livelihood options and the role of tourism. This paper analyses how community members in selected villages in Kalahari Desert perceive the current and estimated future impacts of climate change and how these impacts may influence their livelihoods in future and what role the tourism industry may play in that process. Based on the results, there are minimal local benefits and participation in tourism, which limits the potential of tourism to work for sustainable local development in practice

Sustainability management and tourism impacts on communities:residents’ attitudes in Maun and Tshabong, Botswana

Abstract Sustainability management and especially socio-cultural sustainability of tourism is premised on community awareness, participation and deriving socio-economic benefits from tourism. The purpose of the study was to examine local awareness, attitudes and relations towards tourism operations in Maun and Tshabong, Botswana. A qualitative study informed by in-depth interviews was undertaken in two tourist destinations in Botswana, viz. Maun and Tshabong which are at different stages and scales of tourism development. Based on the study the interviewed community members from both case sites were supportive of further tourism growth and development. Interestingly, in particular, there was support for the promotion of cultural tourism which was seen as ensuring meaningful community participation in tourism development and operations. Other findings suggested that interviewees were also aware of negative impacts associated with tourism such as pollution, demonstration effects and economic leakages. The issue of poaching was of particular local concern as it was perceived against the spirit of community-based tourism