the role of tourism in natural resource management in the okavango ...
the role of tourism in natural resource management in the okavango ... the role of tourism in natural resource management in the okavango ...
Figure 6.5: Accommodation Facility Monthly Tourist Numbers, Okavango Delta, 2003 - 2004 49 Number of Tourists However, Table 6.10 shows that there has been an overall decline of 2.1 percent in room occupancy since 1999. This may be attributed to an increase in the number of rooms available since 1999 due to the expansion of existing hotels, lodges and safari camps in the Delta, and the establishment of new accommodation facilities in this area. Table 6.10: Room Occupancy Rates (%) for Tourism Accommodation Facilities in the Okavango Delta, 1999 - 2001 Year Room Occupancy (%) 1999 56.3 2000 51.9 2001 54.2 Source: Adapted From the Republic of Botswana Statistical Bulletin, 2001. There is no clearly defined grading system for accommodation facilities in Botswana. However, most hotels, lodges and safari camps in the Okavango Delta region maintain a high standard, largely catering for foreign tourists. Due to the high prices charged, tourists expect luxurious accommodation. The more up-market facilities in the region have luxurious rooms, restaurants, air-conditioning, swimming pools, television and entertainment facilities, while most other accommodation facilities have most of the basic amenities. Lodges and safari camps in the Okavango Delta 242
tend to vary in terms of standards and facilities on offer. Some safari camps are merely campsites with ablution blocks, and can be very reasonably priced, while others consist of luxury groups of chalets or cottages, or luxury tents, complete with swimming pools and restaurants. Most lodges and safari camps also hire out boats, or take tourists to other areas from where boats or mekoros can be hired, organize game and bird viewing activities, and fishing opportunities, etc. (Table 6.11). Overall, accommodation in the Okavango Delta can generally be described as being of a high quality, attracting the more wealthy overseas tourists. The Botswana Government's 'high-cost, low-impact' tourism policy is partly responsible for the dominance of up-market accommodation facilities in the Delta, as the policy was designed to prevent mass tourism through high prices, as the Okavango region is a sensitive wetland (http://www.safariweb.com... htm). Table 6.11: Tourist Activities Offered by Interviewed Tourist Accommodation Facilities in the Okavango Delta Region (2003/2004) Total Number of Activity Offered Accommodation Percentage Facilities (out of 63) Mobile Safari Trips 36 57 Fishing 50 79 Game Drives 38 60 Birding 42 66 Scenic Flights 47 75 Boat Rides 49 78 Mekoro Trips 47 75 Elephant-Back Safaris 1 2 Horse-Back Safaris 2 3 Scenic WalkslTrails 40 63 Hunting 1 2 6.3.4.2 The Number of Days Spent by Tourists in the Okavango Delta The number of days spent by tourists in the Okavango Delta depends largely on the particUlar category of tourists, such as independent (self-drive, low-cost), mobile or high-cost tourists. On average, high-cost tourists spend 6 to 10 days in the Delta, of which 2 to 3 day periods are spent in 2 to 3 different safari camps/lodges that they visit in various parts of the Delta. Mobile tourists generally spend between 7 to 14 243
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Figure 6.5: Accommodation Facility Monthly Tourist Numbers, Okavango<br />
Delta, 2003 - 2004<br />
49<br />
Number <strong>of</strong> Tourists<br />
However, Table 6.10 shows that <strong>the</strong>re has been an overall decl<strong>in</strong>e <strong>of</strong> 2.1 percent <strong>in</strong><br />
room occupancy s<strong>in</strong>ce 1999. This may be attributed to an <strong>in</strong>crease <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong><br />
rooms available s<strong>in</strong>ce 1999 due to <strong>the</strong> expansion <strong>of</strong> exist<strong>in</strong>g hotels, lodges and<br />
safari camps <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Delta, and <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> new accommodation facilities <strong>in</strong><br />
this area.<br />
Table 6.10: Room Occupancy Rates (%) for Tourism Accommodation Facilities<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Okavango Delta, 1999 - 2001<br />
Year Room Occupancy (%)<br />
1999 56.3<br />
2000 51.9<br />
2001 54.2<br />
Source: Adapted From <strong>the</strong> Republic <strong>of</strong> Botswana Statistical Bullet<strong>in</strong>, 2001.<br />
There is no clearly def<strong>in</strong>ed grad<strong>in</strong>g system for accommodation facilities <strong>in</strong> Botswana.<br />
However, most hotels, lodges and safari camps <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Okavango Delta region<br />
ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> a high standard, largely cater<strong>in</strong>g for foreign tourists. Due to <strong>the</strong> high prices<br />
charged, tourists expect luxurious accommodation. The more up-market facilities <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> region have luxurious rooms, restaurants, air-condition<strong>in</strong>g, swimm<strong>in</strong>g pools,<br />
television and enterta<strong>in</strong>ment facilities, while most o<strong>the</strong>r accommodation facilities<br />
have most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> basic amenities. Lodges and safari camps <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Okavango Delta<br />
242
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