The Negative Impacts of Tourism in Africa: The Case of Botswana

ABSTRACT

It is not in dispute that tourism contributes immensely to Botswana's economy and raising the economic profile of remote rural communities within tourist destinations. However, as with many other African tourist destinations, the tourism industry in Botswana has had many dynamics, including the less written about negative impacts on local communities' livelihoods and the environment. This article examines the negative impacts of tourism in Botswana over time, as well as communities' perceptions, which influence attitudes towards the industry. Because of its capital-intensive nature, tourism is almost exclusively foreign owned, elite dominated, with only very few citizen investors making inroads in this ‘enclave' sector, thus excluding local participation except as unskilled labourers who are usually subjected to racism and poor working conditions. The study reveals deep seated hidden costs such as psychosocial well-being, exacerbated by a malevolent outbreak of the debilitating COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism in Botswana is based on viewing pristine biodiversity, namely wildlife and scenic beauty. With increasing numbers of wild animals, this led to protracted human-wildlife conflict, accentuating poverty levels, consequently eliciting anti-conservation attitudes among locals. The study uses a qualitative document analysis, utilising secondary sources comprising books, book chapters, academic theses, journal articles, newspapers, government documents, and internet sources. © 2022 AJHTL /Author(s) ;Open Access – Online @ www.ajhtl.com