Challenges of community-based tourism in Botswana: a review of literature

Abstract

This paper provides a review of literature and synthesis of community-based tourism in Botswana by examining the issues associated with its conception, design and implementation. The paper is principally guided by the concept of sustainable tourism development. Results indicate that the concept of community-based tourism in Botswana can be traced to the commencement of Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM), which has its successes and challenges. The paper’s findings show the following challenges: community definition problems; multi-stakeholder participation, diversity and heterogeneity; deficiency in business acumen; lack of income distribution plans and reinvestment priorities and passive community participation. In view of the above, the future might be more challenging for the realisation of sustainable community-based tourism (CBT). The paper concludes with recommendations that may assist in improving the organisation, structure and implementation of community-based tourism in Botswana to ensure sustainability in community-based tourism development.