BTO Hosts Strategic Meeting to Boost Citizen-Led Tourism Development at Gaborone Dam

BTO Hosts Strategic Meeting to Boost Citizen-Led Tourism Development at Gaborone Dam. The Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) today facilitated a high-level engagement between local entrepreneurs awarded tourism development sites around Gaborone Dam and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The meeting, held in Gaborone, featured Mr. Markus Scheuermaier, Senior Country Officer for IFC, and forms part of BTO’s broader strategy to attract investment and strengthen citizen participation in the tourism economy.

This initiative is aligned with the government’s vision to diversify Botswana’s tourism offerings beyond traditional wildlife-based destinations by unlocking the potential of water-based tourism. The Gaborone Dam Tourism Project is central to this agenda, with citizen-led enterprises positioned to drive innovation, community inclusion, and local economic development.

Entrepreneurs had the opportunity to engage directly with the IFC, explore financing models, and understand how to align their tourism ventures with international sustainability and investment standards. Discussions focused on project readiness, environmental considerations, and opportunities for public-private collaboration.

Speaking on behalf of BTO, officials reiterated their commitment to supporting local businesses in accessing resources and building globally competitive experiences. “This engagement is a key step in empowering our entrepreneurs and ensuring that the tourism sector grows in a way that benefits Batswana directly,” one representative noted.

For Botswana’s business community, the session represents a valuable example of partnership-driven growth, particularly as more entrepreneurs look to enter or expand within the tourism value chain. Access to expert guidance and potential funding opportunities is expected to accelerate progress on the awarded sites, paving the way for inclusive and sustainable tourism around the Gaborone Dam.