In a bid to build air connectivity and to grow its economy, Botswana has established an air access project.
This is indeed an important step toward increasing air connectivity for Botswana.
BOTSWANA AIR ACCESS
Tourism Update reports that the project was officially launched on 22 August in Gaborone.
It includes key stakeholders in the aviation, tourism and trade sectors. However, this project is not the first of its kind in the region.
OTHER AIR ACCESS PROJECTS
Initiatives such as the Cape Town Air Access and Gauteng Air Access Network have been successful in attracting several airlines to launch new services or increasing existing frequencies into South African airports.
Intending to build on the model of other similar initiatives such as Cape Town Air Access, Botswana’s new air access team aims to boost air connectivity to Botswana.
KEY PARTNERS
The Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) is leading the initiative, in partnership with the Botswana Tourism Organisation, the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre, Business Botswana, Travel Agent’s Association of Botswana and the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana.
These organisations will assist in advisory roles and in strategic engagements with domestic, regional and international carriers.
“The project will have positive effects on tourism, investment and trade as it is a collaborative national destination initiative driven by its objective to improve ease of international air access to Botswana,” said CAAB CEO Bao Masinyi.
CATALYST FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH
An air access project works to open up a destination by encouraging increased air connectivity. This also has economic benefits for a city or destination.
Growth in aviation leads to increased tourism flows, thus generating more revenue for the local economy.
And, ultimately, this spurs economic growth and leads to job creation.
AIR BOTSWANA ON EXPANSION DRIVE
In fact, this project comes on the back of Botswana’s national airline scaling up its operations.
This expansion was facilitated by the airline acquiring several new aircraft.
BOTSWANA AIR ACCESS WORKING TO ATTRACT AIRLINES
Botswana has already seen significant interest from airlines wishing to operate flights.
In June Ethiopian Airlines launched flights into Maun, opening up the Okavango Delta to increased tourism flows.
A team from the project will head to Routes World 2024 in October, to engage airlines, with the intention to secure more flights.
