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the role of tourism in natural resource management in the okavango ...

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In order for local Botswana citizens to become <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>tourism</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry <strong>in</strong> any<br />

significant way, <strong>the</strong>re is a need to put aside 'personal jealousies and prejudices', <strong>in</strong><br />

order to br<strong>in</strong>g toge<strong>the</strong>r experienced locals who could form consortia to buy <strong>in</strong>to<br />

and/or buy out from well established larger tourist operators (Mmegi, 2002).<br />

Botswana prides itself on high tourist standards due to <strong>the</strong> 'Iow-volume, high-value'<br />

concept. This, however, is not necessarily true. The standards <strong>of</strong> services <strong>in</strong> many<br />

tourist areas do not match, or give value for <strong>the</strong> rates charges. There is also a<br />

danger <strong>of</strong> tourist products on <strong>of</strong>fer, such as <strong>the</strong> un<strong>in</strong>habited and unspoiled<br />

wilderness areas <strong>of</strong> Botswana be<strong>in</strong>g destroyed through <strong>in</strong>appropriate or unplanned<br />

development. Due to <strong>the</strong> segregation <strong>of</strong> most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> local population from <strong>the</strong> <strong>tourism</strong><br />

<strong>in</strong>dustry, <strong>the</strong>re is an <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g risk <strong>of</strong> xenophobia, or resentment towards foreigners<br />

by Motswanas, which quickly alienates <strong>the</strong> sector, and hence potential foreign<br />

<strong>in</strong>vestors (Mmegi, 2002).<br />

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