Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) is advancing the review of the Botswana Ecotourism Certification System (BECS) to align with Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria, aiming to position the country as a leading sustainable tourism destination and improve international market access for local operators.
The initiative has entered the pilot assessment stage following the completion of the inception and development phases. In partnership with Geoflux, BTO recently trained assessors in Maun before conducting field assessments at Maun Lodge, Chobe Game Lodge and Tamoq Mobile Safaris in Ngamiland. Additional facilities are still to be assessed.
During the pilot, assessors observed sustainability innovations such as solar-powered boats and electric vehicles, highlighting the sector’s progress towards greener operations.
The reviewed BECS will be nationalised in collaboration with the Botswana Bureau of Standards to enhance its credibility and support Botswana’s move towards internationally recognised ecotourism standards.
