Aircraft crashes unnerves tourism

The air crash of small tour air planes the northern parts of Botswana within a week has shaken the tourism industry. According to a tour operator, the recent crashes have led to some level of hysteria amongst some tourism business operators in the area as they pounder a possible loss of business as customers wonder of the safety of Botswana skies.“We are worried that even though the authorities point to these as being isolated, perception created is that our skies are not safe and this could scare our more safety cautious clients during this peak season,” said the industry insider wished not be identified. “I watched the crash on BBC. That is a channel seen across the world – in Europe and the US where we source a lot of clients.” Asked if they have received any cancelation due to the crashes, she said “no, I can’t say we have at the moment, instead we are getting a lot of inquiries about the situation and we try to give the best possible assurance.”

She said they are constantly in communication with the aviation authority to try and get an explanation but they are told that the investigations are still ongoing.

Botswana Tourism Organisation concedes a possible impact on the industry. In response to Business Gazette, the BTO communications chief, Keitumetse Setlang stated that, “We have not received any news on cancellations on the already made bookings. However, one would think this incident may lead to some level of discomfort for some travellers which we will continue to monitor and manage.”

Setlang says the aviation industry is enormously significant to the tourism industry, apart from it providing access to the country for tourists into the country. “Travel in and around the Delta in small aircrafts is quite common and gives tourists great access to hard to reach areas. It is for this reason that the aviation industry in Botswana is important to the tourism industry.”

In fact BTO is already in the public relations exercise to calm the storms. “A strategy on restoring customer confidence is being executed through our various networks,” said Setlang, adding that, however, “the results of such a strategy can only be determined over time. Our agencies abroad are keeping an eye on the situation as well. We would also like to emphasise that the Government of Botswana takes customer safety and security seriously.”

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