Botswana Tourism Investment Summit 2023
Accelerating Investments towards Sustainable Product Diversification
Summit Day I
Thursday
23 November 2023
Master of Ceremony: Jazzelle Kebakile
07:30 – 08:30 Arrival of delegates
Performance by Andante Chorus
08:30 – 08:50 All delegates to be seated.
08:55 – 09:00 Arrival of His Honour the Vice President
09:00 – 09:05 National Anthem led by Andante Chorus Ramotswa
09:05 – 09:10 Prayer Reverend Paddy Mapitse UCCSA Mochudi
09:10 – 09:15 Introduction of Guests by Gaborone District Commissioner
09:15 – 09:20 Entertainment – Opera
09:20 – 09:25 Welcome Remarks by Hon. Philda Kereng, Minister of Environment and Tourism
09:25 – 09:30 Mophato Dance Theatre
09:30 – 09:35 Taleb Rifai, Chairperson of ITIC Ltd and Invest Tourism Ltd
09:35 – 09:50 Keynote Address by His Honor Slumber Tsogwane
Official pictures with the Vice President outside the venue
09:50 – 09:55 Entertainment Mabutswapele Dance Group
10:00 – 10:15 Fireside chat with Batani Walter Matekane, Director Macroeconomic Policy, Ministry of Finance and Professor Ian Goldin, Oxford University Professor of Globalisation and Development and the founding Director of the Oxford Martin School and Former Vice-President of the World Bank
10:15 – 10:20 Vote of Thanks: Paul Hoskins, Director ITIC Ltd and Invest Tourism Ltd
10:20 – 10:30 Tour of Exhibitions
10:30 – 10:55 GMT Business Networking Break & Refreshments
10:55 – 11:00 Speech by Claudia Conceicao, Regional Director, Southern Africa, International Finance Corporation
11:00 – 12:00 Ministerial Panel – Botswana leveraging on its strategic location to facilitate cooperation and investment in tourism in the region
Moderator: Carmen Roberts, Travel Writer & Presenter and Broadcaster, BBC
Panelists:
- Hon. Philda Nani Kereng, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Botswana
- H.E. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism Jamaica
- Hon. Vera Kamtukule, Minister of Tourism of Malawi
- H.E. Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority
- Hon. Elena Kountoura, Member European Parliament
- H.E. Elias M. Magosi, Executive Secretary Executive Secretary of SADC
- Liang Wang, Resident Representative, World Bank
- Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman of ITIC and Invest Tourism Ltd
12:00 – 12:45 Air connectivity, the critical success factor to transform Botswana into a regional tourism and business hub
Air connectivity supports tourism flows and is a key success factor in the growth of Botswana’s travel and tourism sector. Botswana which has already implemented an open sky policy, could be positioned as a major regional logistics and distribution hub besides supporting international passenger traffic. Furthermore, is the development of a sizeable domestic aviation market a prerequisite or can bilateral and multilateral air agreements with other States accelerate air linkages and turn Botswana into an inescapable regional tourism and business hub.
Moderator: Professor Ian Goldin, Oxford University Professor of Globalisation and Development and the founding Director of the Oxford Martin School and Former Vice-President of the World Bank
12:00 – 12:10 One-to-one interview with Ghait Al Ghait, CEO, flydubai (virtual)
12:10 – 12:45 Start of Panel discussion
Panelists:
- Masego Magdeline Mookodi, Acting General Manager, Air Botswana
- Christopher Rodrigues CBE, Ambassador World Travel & Tourism Council, former Chairman of VisitBritain (2007 – 2017), Chairman Port of London Authority and Chairman of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency
- Eskedar Tamrat, Area Manager, Ethiopian Airlines
12:45 – 13:45 Networking Lunch
13:45 – 14:30 DEAL ROOM – Meeting between Tourism Project Developers and Investors in the Okavango room at the Grand Palm Hotel
14:30 – 15:15 Investing in Tourism
IFC has global experience investing in the tourism sector. What lessons have been learned and what contributes strongly to sector growth and development? The panel will discuss these topics augmented by the specific first-hand experience of tourism operators doing business in Botswana or regionally.
Moderator: Hans Shrader, IFC Country Advisory and Economics
Panelists:
- Petra Pereyra, EU Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana and SADC
- Samuel Nganga, Manager MAS Upstream and Advisory, IFC
- Hamza Farooqui, CEO Millat Investment (South Africa)
- Kim Nixon, Chief Operating Officer, Chobe Holdings Limited
15:15 – 16:15 Discover Investment Opportunities in Botswana
This session to be hosted by Carmen Roberts, Travel Writer & Presenter and Broadcaster, BBC
Panel of Experts:
- Gerald Lawless, WTTC Ambassador and Former Jumeirah Group President & CEO
- Gobusamang Dempsey Keebine, CEO, Corporate Nexus
- Kushata Chilisa – Head CEEP, Stanbic Bank Botswana
- Moshie Ratsebe, Director, Investment Promotion, Botswana Investment & Trade Centre (BITC)
Tourism Project Presentations by:
First part: Ras Al Khaimah: From mountains and desert to a Tourism, MICE and Business flagship. Presentation by Mohamed Belkhodja, Director Investments and Special Projects, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKDA)
Second Part: BTO Investment Opportunities. Presentation by Keitumetse Setlang, Acting CEO Botswana Tourism Office
Third Part: Discover the Kgalagadi Smart and leisure City, Concept and investment opportunities.
- Tshepho Mmokele, Projects Operations Manager, Botswana Tourism Organisation
- Ibrahim Ayoub, Group CEO ITIC Ltd and Invest Tourism Ltd
Fourth Part – Presentations of Botswana Tourism Projects in quest of investment (session 1)
Presentation of La Vallee des Couleurs Mauritius and its plans for investment in Botswana
by Ashfaaq Polin, Director, La Vallee des Couleurs, Mauritius
16:15 – 17:00 Empowering Women in the Tourism industry – Capital Raising for Women Entrepreneurs
Gender equality and the empowerment of women in the tourism industry are essential for the inclusive socio-economic development of a country. Botswana is creating the conducive environment to eliminate barriers to entry in the tourism labour market and to open opportunities for the career progression of women as employees but also as self-employed entrepreneurs in expanding their business. Moreover, the country is paving the way for a system of seed capital to support women entrepreneurs.
Modertor: Jacinta Kiruthi, CEO, International Trade, Regional and Continental Integration, Implementation of the AfCFTA
Panellists:
- Lily Rakorong, Chief Executive Officer, HATAB
- Nuzhat Anwar, IFC Resident Representative, Botswana
- Katlego Mphahlele, Senior Dealmaker, Services SBU, IDC
- Tumediso Anicia Mbanga, Founder of Comfort Palace (new Cultural Village project)
- Marcela Lizarraga, Engagement & Projects Director, Membership & Commercial, WTTC (virtual)
- Muna Haddad, Founding CEO, Baraka (virtual)
16:45 – 17:00 Networking & light snacks
17:00 – 18:00 DEAL ROOM – Meeting between Tourism Project Developers and Investors in the Okavango room at the Grand Palm Hotel
17:00 – 18:00 Networking Session
Summit Day II
Friday
24 November 2023
09:00 – 09:15 Reflections
- Ibrahim Ayoub, Group CEO, ITIC Ltd and Invest Tourism Ltd
09:15 – 10:00 Investment and financing Sustainable Tourism Projects Unlocking Innovative
Business models in the tourism sector.
A case study of successful of investments in Botswana tourism
This session will not only showcase successful investments in the tourism industry of Botswana but also highlight the decisive role of banks and investors in turning into reality the dreams of several entrepreneurs and visionaries of this country.
Modertor: Carmen Roberts, Travel Writer & Presenter, BBC
Panellists:
- Cross Kgosidiile, Managing Director, Botswana Development Corporation
- Guido Giachetty, Executive Chairman, RDC
- Keletso Bogatsu, General Manager, The Grand Palm Hotel Casino and Convention Resort
- Onalenna Keseabetswe, Head, Investment Banking, Stanbic Bank Botswana
10:00 – 11:15 Discover Tourism Investment Opportunities in Botswana
This session to be hosted by Carmen Roberts, Travel Writer & Presenter and Broadcaster, BBC
Session 2 – Presentations of Botswana Tourism Projects in quest of investment
10:00 – 10:15 Presentation: Solutions for infrastructural development in Botswana. A presentation by Emmanuel K. Yuh, PE, Chief Executive Officer, KEY Engineering Group Inc. (USA)
10:15 – 11:15 Session 2 – Presentations of Botswana Tourism Projects in quest of investment
&nbps;Panel of Experts:
- Ian Goldin, Oxford University Professor of Globalisation and Development and the founding Director of the Oxford Martin School and Former Vice-President of the World Bank
- Gerald Lawless, WTTC Ambassador and Former Jumeirah Group President & CEO
- Gobusamang Dempsey Keebine, CEO, Corporate Nexus
Tourism Project Presentations – Selected projects from the Private Sector (3 minutes presentation for each project)
- Hotel Facility by Butholezwe Mlilo, Group CFO, Chovest (Pty) Ltd
- Holiday resort in Selibe Phikwe by Thebe Sefako, Managing Director, Sfee Holdings (PTY) Ltd
- Luxury hotel on the banks of Gaborone Dam by Sylvester Kealeboga Tshomane, Founder and Director, Selemo Rustic Hotel (Pty) Ltd
- Hotel near airport area, Maun by Victor Kegone Sebina, Director/Founder, Hotel 4:30 Proprietary Limited
- Luxury self-catering chalets and spa by Sylvester Kealeboga Tshomane, Founder and Director, Ruendo
- Shalakwe Hills Inn B&B by Gloria Moseki & Gaabadzo Moseki , Director, Shalakwe Hills Inn Resort (Pty) Ltd
- Eco-friendly campsite at Moremi village by Sakhile Abaleng Hlophe, Managing Director, Msizi Bush Camp & Stables (Pty) Ltd
- Shaya-she eco luxury resort by Itumeleng Botlhoko, Shaya-She Empire (Pty) Ltd
- Culturally Inspired Heritage Lodge by Mabua Lesego Mabua, Director/Founder, Mabwise Consultancy
- Lee-Ann Singer, Chairwoman FEDHASA
- Richard Collins, Area Vice President, Sub Saharan Africa, Marriott International
- Mokwena Morulane, Managing Director Cresta Marakanelo Ltd
- Mark Abraham, Founder & CEO, Shackle (Virtual)
- Neo Nwako, CEO, Abari Communications
- Prof Dimitrios Buhalis, Director of the eTourism Lab and Deputy Director of the International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research, University of Bournemouth, UK (Virtual)
- Jonathan Puzon-Gomez, Director of Tourism, Malaga (Virtual)
- Gerald Lawless, WTTC Ambassador and Former Jumeirah Group President & CEO
- Gobusamang Dempsey Keebine, CEO, Corporate Nexus
- Cuthbert Ncube, Executive Chairman, African Tourism Board
- Expansion of Itse Mageba Tours by Tebogo Victor Kgaodi, Director, Itse Mageba Tours (IMT)
- Expansion of Yebo Travel & Tours, Boago Elsie Mosweu, Managing Director, Yebo Travel and Tours (Pty) Ltd
- Development of Horticulture farm, Hotel & Camping site by Andrew Burrel Monageng, CEO, Octagon Distributors
- State-of-the-art hospitality facility by Christine Mutabelezi, Managing Director, Iswiza Rest Camp (Pty) Ltd
- KoiSands Resort & Leisure Waterpark by Kabo C. Matlhabaphiri, Managing Director, KoiSands Resort & Leisure Waterpark (Pty) Ltd
- Space Solutions Luxury Camp with conference centre by Refilwe Precious Jeremiah, Managing Director, Space Solutions (Pty) Ltd
- Chape Agro-Tourism Project by Tumo M Mothudi, Managing Director, Chape Veggies
- Cultural village in Kazungula, by Tumediso Anicia Mbanga, Director/Founder, Bate investments t/a Comfort Palace Guesthouse
- Bright Allure Botanical Garden, Mompoloki Seloka, Creative Director, Bright Allure (Pty) Ltd
- Kagiso Koyabe, Head Business Development Services, Business Botswana
- Michaela Powell-Rees, Managing Director, Rera Partner
- Cuthbert Ncube, Executive Chairman, African Tourism Board
11:15 – 11:45 Networking Break
11:45 – 12:45 The Hotels of the Future
Hotels are increasingly guest-centric with dynamic, personalized and unique services as well as tailor-made solutions matching their specific needs. In addition to an eco-friendly and technological environment, the hotels of the future try to offer an authentic and memorable stay to travellers. These initiatives contribute to optimize the return on investment and accelerate the yield period. Botswana is the right destination for the hotels of the future due to its highly solid and resilient tourism industry.
Moderator: Gerald Lawless, WTTC Ambassador and Former Jumeirah Group President & CEO
Panellists:
12:45 – 13:45 Networking Lunch
13:00 – 14:00 DEAL ROOM – Meeting between Tourism Project Developers and Investors in the Okavango room at the Grand Palm Hotel
14:00 – 14:45 Investment in Technology and Digitalisation: The Metaverse, IOT, Artificial Intelligence trends in the tourism industry
Digitalization is revolutionizing the travel and tourism industry, redefining it by changing customers’ expectations and by giving small businesses access to the global market. However, there is the need to strike the right balance between technological advances and human interactions to make the stay of a traveller in a place meaningful. Furthermore, digital modes of payment are spreading their reach in the tourism industry, adding value to the interactions between customers and the different service providers.
Moderator: Jacinta Kiruthi, CEO, International Trade, Regional and Continental Integration, Implementation of the AfCFTA
Panellists:
14:45 – 15:45 Discover Investment Opportunities in Botswana
This session to be hosted by Carmen Roberts, Travel Writer & Presenter and Broadcaster, BBC
Session 3 – Presentations of Botswana Tourism Projects in quest of investment
Panel of Experts:
Tourism Project Presentations – Selected projects from the Private Sector (3 minutes presentation for each project)
15:45 – 16:00 Networking Coffee Break
16:00 – 16:45 Enabling investments in Tourism SMEs in Botswana
Banks in Botswana have been very supportive of SMEs in the tourism industry even in the uncertain times of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the recovery of the industry, how could banks extend their support especially to new ventures and innovative initiatives? This session will also cover the issues pertaining to the gap to be bridged between SMEs in quest of finance and potential investors and how policies can help Botswana’s SMEs benefit from FDI?
Carmen Roberts, Travel Writer & Presenter, BBC
Panel of Experts:
16:45 – 17:00 Closing
19:00 – 22:00 Cultural Dinner