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

Table 6.33: List of Private Air Charter Companies Operating in the
Okavango Delta (2003)
Name of Air Company
Aer-Kavango
Air Xaxaba Gametrackers
Bushfree Air
Delta Air
Elgon Air
Mack Air
Moremi Air Charter
Ngami Air
Northern Air
Sefofane Air Charter
Swamp Air
Xugana Air
Safari Air
Wildlife Helicopters
Source: Main, 2001; Roodt, 2004.
In addition to the current airport facilities in Maun and the rest of the Okavango
Delta, there is a proposed plan by the government for the further expansion of Maun
airport, including terminal facilities and the runway, in order to enable the airport to
receive larger aircraft. Such an expansion would undoubtedly result in an increase in
tourist numbers, as well as the number of small bush aircraft flying into the Delta.
While this can be regarded as a positive economic development, consideration must
be given to the environmental impacts such an increase in the number of aircraft and
tourists in the Delta would bring. Studies on levels of acceptable change and
carrying capacities in both Maun and the Okavango Delta must be carried out before
any such developments are implemented (Mbaiwa, 2002).
6.5 Summary and Conclusion
This chapter provided an in-depth analysis of the Okavango Delta's tourism industry.
It focused on the type and origin of tourists visiting the area, and presented an
overview of the tourism accommodation sector. It also focused on the growth of
tourism enclaves in the region, and provided an appraisal of the economic impacts
of the international tourism industry in the Okavango Delta.
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