Industry stakeholders say Botswana’s repeal of anti-gay laws could substantiate the country’s appeal to the international LGBTQ+ travel market and improve confidence among travel advisors and tour operators selling the destination.
According to Martina Barth, International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) Membership Manager Africa/UK/Germany, the legislative change sends an important signal to the international travel trade.
“It’s noteworthy in terms of the country wanting to attract more LGBTQ+ travellers. By removing these colonial-era laws, Botswana is demonstrating to the global industry that it is moving towards the same level of inclusion we see in top LGBTQ+ destinations,” said Barth. “It sends a signal to travellers, and the advisors who book them, that the country is worthy of greater consideration rather than trepidation.
“Travel professionals don’t want to risk sending someone to a place that isn’t safe. It’d be bad for their business. These reforms are exactly the type of indicator that they look for to bring new, exciting experiences to their clients.”
Legal protections and safety perception
Barth said, while safety can never be guaranteed for any traveller, especially LGBTQ+ travellers, legal protections remain a key consideration for LGBTQ+ travellers when choosing destinations, providing a crucial foundation of confidence.
“According to the 2026 Spartacus Gay Travel Index, safety and legal status remain the top priorities for LGBTQ+ travellers. Once travellers know those protections are in place, they become much more open to exploring the destination.”
The tourism industry’s response will determine how quickly perceptions of the destination shift internationally, Barth added.
“Travel is a word-of-mouth industry. If no one is telling the story, it isn’t heard. A destination doesn’t become welcoming overnight, it requires strategy.”
Competitiveness and spending power
She said the move could improve Botswana’s competitiveness within the African tourism market, pointing to South Africa’s growth as an LGBTQ+ tourism destination following the introduction of constitutional protections and same-sex marriage legislation.
“We’ve seen a significant increase in IGLTA membership across the region because businesses recognise that travellers are looking for companies that openly embrace them. Botswana is now perfectly positioned to compete for that same high-value traveller.”
Opportunities exist for lodges, inbound operators and destination marketers if they chose to engage more intentionally with the market, Barth added.
“The spending power of the LGBTQ+ travel sector is so large that, if it was a country, it would have the fourth largest GDP in the world. Looking ahead, the travel forecaster Globetrender estimates that queer travel spending could reach US$568.5 billion by 2030. Botswana has an opportunity to tap into one of the most resilient and high-spending segments in global tourism.”
Barth stressed the importance of involving local LGBTQ+ communities in tourism planning and destination development.
“The number one mistake that destinations make is not including local LGBTQ+ voices in the conversation and, in Botswana’s case, specifically Black African LGBTQ+ voices.”
