Tourism is currently Botswana's most rapidly growing sector and contributes 15.9% to its GDP. In 1997, there were 835,000 visitors to Botswana, making the country the third most popular destination in Southern Africa. Greater efforts have been made to market Botswana as a tourist destination and upgrading of airports at its main tourist areas have made them more accessible.
The government's tourism policy emphasises the promotion of environmentally-sensitive, low-volume, high-cost tourism. Hotel capacity and occupancy has expanded substantially with international standard safari camps, lodges and hotels being opened.
The growing tourism industry has increased employment opportunities and gained investor confidence. SA and Botswana have signed a pact to manage the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana and the adjacent Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in SA as one ecological unit. Botswana is also looking at promoting regional tourism with neighbouring Zimbabwe as an added means to attract tourists.
