Botswana Okavango Tourist Destination Analysis - Case Study Example

Heading: Botswana Okavango Tourist Destination analysis Your name: Course name: Professors’ name: Date (The Safari Company 2011) Introduction The Okavango Delta is one of the world renowned tourist destination, it has rich wildlife and varied bird species. It also consists of a wide range of cultural heritage such as the Bushman’s paintings in areas around the Maun Region like Savuti. Despite the semi-arid environment with unpredictable rainfall, the region is suitable for tourist visit almost all through the year. Since the past two decades, road and communication network has been developed in the region in order to ensure accessibility of several Game Reserves such as Moremi and Chobe. The development roads, airports and private airstrips allow visitors to move around the Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta River is also another exceptional experience of a real African drive through a local ‘Mokoro’ canoe which allows visitors to have a glimpse of the region. This analysis is going to present a number of factors that ‘pushes’ and ‘pulls’ visitors to the Okavango Delta. The natural environment including ancient artefacts, the favourable climate and presence of modern facilities, activities that tourist engage in are also considered in this analysis. Several likely motivational factors that make Okavango Delta a tourist destination are mentioned. The impacts of tourism in areas such as economy, social and cultural perspectives are also discussed in order to shade more light on tourism implication to the country’s future. Okavango’s natural environment According to Kgathi (2006, p.5) the climate of Okavango is primarily semi-arid with about 80 % of the rainfall starting from the month of October to March. A complex interplay of the airstreams of the north-west and east African Monsoon converge and thus controlling the amount of rainfall received. Because of the irregular rainfall pattern in the region, the months of April through to September provide a relative conducive climate for tourist to visit the area around this period. The Okavango River basin is located north-west of Botswana and consists of three major catchments namely; Okavango, Cuito and Cubango. This river basin is the major source of livelihood for the people living in the region, it is thus critical for the economic and environmental sustainability. This river is also important for the development of the tourist centres and other lodging facilities (Kgathi 2006, p.4). The ancient cultures and natural history cultures of the region associated with the Bushmen is also an important part of the natural richness of the Okavango region. Since most of the aboriginal inhabitants of the region were hunters and gatherers, sites of microlithic evidence and drawings are vastly spread throughout the Maun region which is the heart of the Okavango. Major features of Okavango’s society The Okavango Delta consist of five distinct ethnic groups, each has a unique language and ethnic identity. The ethnic groups consist of: Xanekwe, Bugakwe, Dxeriku, Hambukushu and Wayeyi. Each of these ethnic groups consist of about six to seven separate sub-groups, Xanekwe and Bugakwe are Bushmen who are the aboriginal inhabitants of South Africa. They traditionally practised hunting and gathering and were also nomadic. The Dxeriku, Hambukushu and Wayeyi thus migrated recently to the region from Central Africa hundreds of years ago (Schrire 2009). While Xanekwe and Bugakwe practised hunting in the savannah desert using poisoned darts from darts. Men travelled for days hunting while women took care of children, it took skills and caution to track and successfully hunt animals (Mbaiwa 2006). On the other hand Dxeriku, Hambukushu and Wayeyi practised more mixed subsistence farming like hunting fishing collecting wild fruits and even goat and cattle rearing. Men from these groups historically build fences from acacia in order to protect their agricultural fields from wild invasion, they also ploughed fields and herd cattle. All these groups of people were expert craftsmen as they made canoes, weapons and axes. With the development of modernization, tourism is the major economic activities of the ethnic groups living in the delta. This is because of the degradation and depletion of the natural resources in the region such as diamond mines (Hottola 2009, p.90). The societies in the region depend on Okavango River for their livelihood, because of the sustainability issues; the government through its National Development Plans has created strategic goals for improving tourism in Botswana. Tourist can clearly indentify the region because of its distinct portrays of ancient carvings sold by the locals in the region. The Bushmen carvings are the most common carvings because they clearly identify the southern part of Africa. Okavango’s heritage resources Heritage is usually handed over from one generation to the other; the Okavango delta is rich with both pre-historic artefacts’ and natural unique wildlife. With about 150 species of mammals, 500 species of birds and 90 species of fish, the Okavango has a rich heritage of natural wildlife. The region also has abundant evidence of the late Stone Age lithics which includes artefacts such as backed bladelets, crescents, steepy small scrapers and retouched segments (Schrire 2009, p 182). Striking paintings of the early hunters-gatherers are found in at least five sites in the hills which surround Savuti. The paintings contain rock arts which archaeologists have closely linked with the Tsodilo. The paintings details are explored in the Rock and Art Research Institute in the Witwatersand University. The other famous heritage which attracts tourist to the country is the Livingstone Cave located near Molepolole about 40 Km to the north of Gaborone. It is a system of inter-communicating caves found in the region. The cave is named after the Dr. Livingstone who explored the area in 1849 and later died in the region. This is thus a critical national heritage which attracts tourist to the region (Hottola 2009, p.94). The late Stone Age artefacts in the region have continually played a critical role in enhancing tourist understanding on the region. The history of tourism in Okavango According to Hottola (2009, p.90) tourism in Botswana was negligible when the country got its independence from the British rule in 1966. Notably, by the year 2005 tourism had become the second largest sector of economy in the country. It contributed a signiticant 9.5 % of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) (WTTC 2007 in Hottola 2009). The tourism industry in the country consists mainly of the game reserves, national parks, world-renowned wildlife, and great bio-diversity among other natural attributes. The distinct cultural attractions and spectacular scenery are the key aspects of the tourism in the country. The Okavango Delta is the key tourist attraction because of its rich natural resources like water, fish, wildlife and forest. The adoption of the Tourism policy in 190 contributed greatly to the development of tourism in the region. This document provided an imperative guidance to the development of tourism in the Okavango and other parts of the country. The driving factors of the document includes to ensure ecologically sustainable tourist activities and to increase financial returns from the tourism to benefit the people of Botswana. The strategic plan initiated by the government has also contributed to the development of tourism sector especially in light of the exhaustion of the country’s major source of income like mining of diamonds. ‘Push’ factors ‘Push’ factors are factors that create and stimulate tourist travel from their country of residence to another country, these factors includes, technological, social, economic, and even political factors (Weaver & Lawton 2002). By early 90’s the Okavango Delta had become a major tourist attractions to most westerners because of the developed network of roads, presence of safari guides and vast advertisement in the medial Recently, the development of information technology which markets the region through the web has became a critical ‘push’ factor in the modern times and hence the increase of tourism to the region in order to experience the magnificent balanced food web/chain and scenery of the Okavango Delta. ‘Pull’ factors According to Weaver & Lawton (2002, p468), ‘Pull’ factors consists of forces that are significant in pulling them towards a given destination. Such forces are; accessibility, image, proximity and even attractions. Okavango Delta allows its visitors to experience exceptional intimate interaction with the nature, a light aircraft allows for the transport and accessibility of the region, the visitors fly over the Okavango Delta before settling at Delta Camp which is constructed by natural materials to create a ‘reed’ bungalow with the most comfortable sleep, coupled with electric lights, showers, hot water and even a flushing toiled in about 65 Km into the bush (Ross 2003). More so, experiencing the waterway by ‘mokoro’ a local canoe allows for exceptional view of the abundant bird life and other wildlife in the region in unimaginable way. Likely motivational factors Because motivational factor are internal factors which generated needs and desires to people, determining motivational aspects with a great degree of accuracy is always difficult considering the diverse need and desires of individuals visiting the location. There are however some fundamental motivational aspects that could positively be attributed to the visitors of Okavango Delta. The desire to change the environment especially when European climate changes are extreme is one motivating factor. Most parts of Africa have a constant and predictable climate with least severe conditions like winters. The desire to experience a good climate while experiencing a natural richness of the Okavango Delta could be the leading motivational factor (Zeppel 2006). The stresses associated with City life and its inconveniences are usually monotonous and thus making people desire to escape from these routines and hence the desire to travel to Okavango Delta. The region disconnects its visitors from the modern life and instead links them to nature like never before. Activities of tourist in Okavango There are a number of activities that tourist may engage in the Okavango Delta, many tourist agencies which are advertised in the media such as TV and also the internet provide important information about activities that tourist can engage in while in Okavango Delta. The Safari guides and other tourism services provide tourists with imperative bronchus detailing places to be visited in the region (Schrire 2009, p.187). Depending on the tourist, visiting a national park like the Moremi Game Reserve is an option that tourist can engage in with a local travel agent who supervises the entire process. For tourist with keen interest on the nature and the real life interaction of ecological can talk a safari walk in areas such as Delta Camp with personal guide who is experienced with the terrain. The guide provided the necessary safety and security to the tourist (Schrire 2009). Viewing the regions’ wildlife on foot provides an exceptional experience to tourist and it is thus considered the only way of experiencing the wild. The impact of tourism on the Okavango’s society According to Mbaiwa (2004, p.164) tourism in Okavango Delta has had both negative and positive impacts to the society living in the region. Economically, tourism has played a significant role in the Okavango region through creation of employment, foreign exchange earnings and development of network infrastructure. There are a number of facilities such as hotels, lodges airports, camps and even airstrips that have developed in the Okavango region. Wholesale and retail businesses have also been established in the Maun region a centre for tourism in the Okavango region which provided services to the tourism industry (Mbaiwa 2004, p.165). On the other hand, the tourism sector is held by foreign investors and hence denying the locals the privilege of dominance of their heritage. The socio-cultural implication of tourism in the Okavango Delta has however brought a number of challenges ( Mbaiwa 2004, p.171). Cultural values and other social morals have been significantly affected by tourism industry, since families are forced to live apart as a result of the need to work in the Lodges and other tourist camps, most of the local employees indulge in sexual relationship with the tourist in exchange for money. Cases of child defilement and other forms of prostitution have significantly increased in the region and hence derailing the cultural values of the society. The language system has also been influenced by foreign accent and other vulgar; the youth dressing styles has also been influenced by western styles. This negative socio-cultural effect of tourism has been a subject of debate in the light of ensuring sustainability of the sector (Mbaiwa 2006). Tourism has also contributed to the development of the environment conservation, road infrastructure and other modern facilities which is a positive implication to the environment considering the degradation of the mines in the past. Accommodation in Okavango There are a number of accommodation places in the Okavango region, accommodation ranges from hotel, lodges and camps which provide the tourist with local ambience and experience. Because of a number of camp sites and lodge especially in the major tourist destination around Maun region, tourists have options to consider while choosing their accommodations (Ross 2003). Drifters Maun Camp offers accommodation to about 72 guests, 30 Km east of Maun, Delta Belle Houseboat accommodates about 8 guests and it floats in the Okavango River and hence enhancing the experience do the guests. Ngwesi Houseboat with lower and upper deck can host about 14 guest, other accommodations normally preferred in the region also includes Thamalakane River Lodge and Nxamaseri island Lodge among others (Mbaiwa 2006). Transportation The main international transport entrance into the region is through the Maun airport and other privately owned airstrips with small aircrafts within the Maun region. There are also local flights from near regions like Johannesburg and Gaborone, busses and cars can also access the Okavango Delta from these neighbouring regions. Visitors in the region have a variety of transport facilities depending on their desired destinations of experience, for the visitors desiring to experience river transport ‘Mokoro’ canoe and boats (Brebbia 2010). For road transport, Buses and Safari buses provide transport to and from the region. Taxis and other privately owned cars also provide tourist with transport facilities within the region and hence increasing mobility of the visitors. The developed network infrastructure allows visitors to move around the region and hence experience the magnificence of the local natural habitat. Gastronomic experiences The Okavango Delta is rich with indigenous delicacies such as mushrooms which are acquired after the rains in the delta. At the Beyond Xudum Okavango Delta Lodge, especially after the rains, there are plenty of mushrooms which enhance gastronomic experiences of the guest in the region. The mushrooms also go in hand with cheese omelettes which enhances the gastronomic experience of its guest (Ross 2003). Other variety of foodstuffs available in the region includes beef. Lamb, chicken, and even mutton among other variety of meats, food and cuisine in the region is served in restaurants in all major towns and cities surrounding the Okavango region. Local fruits includes, grapes, bananas, oranges, apples and even avocado, desserts available in most restaurants includes, western style pudding like Cocada amarela, sea foods includes Crayfish tuba oysters and even lobsters(Ross 2003). Almost every delicacy is present in the menu of most tourist hotels and hence providing a wide range of both local and foreign foods to the visitors. Conclusion The Okavango Delta has captured the eyes of the tourism world in an exceptional way, its rich wild life and distinct species of birds coupled with presence of ancient artefacts are some of the contributing factors to the destination’s growth pace. Since the government intervention through its policies, the income generated from the Delta has grown tremendously in the past few decades and it is currently the second largest income earner of the country. The major ‘pulling’ factors into the region includes the ‘mokoro’ canoe drive which gives visitors exceptional view of the region’s varied birds species and animals. The camps constructed in remote areas also gives its visitors exceptional facilities such as baths, toilets , electricity in remote places a factor that greatly contributes to their overwhelming experience. The Region is also covered with a wide road infrastructure including aircrafts which ensures that the visitors are well served while in the region. Despite the negative socio-cultural implication of the tourism in the region, the government is working of ways of ensuring sustainable ethics, tourism, cultural and economical balance. Read More