Footsteps in Africa - Sightings and Reports

SANTAWANI & SANKUYO BUSH CAMP CLOSURE 
Botswana Government responds

Footsteps in Africa is pleased to announce that the Botswana Government by virtue of the Botswana Tourism Organisation is now taking a proactive role in solving the crisis and Footsteps in Africa and the many agents from around the world who have been supporting these two camps hope for a speedy resolution and that we might soon be able to announce the re-opening of both Sankuyo Bush Camp and Santawani Lodge in time for the approaching season.

As I previously stated: Botswana Tourism, no - Southern African Tourism cannot afford to see another joint venture between a community and an investor fail. 
If we wish to see these community-based partnership growing in number, quality and size, it is more than ever vital that the current situation surrounding Santawani Partnership be resolved as quickly as possible! 

The detailed letter from Botswana Tourism Organization is copied to this mail and provides further details... 

For further information contact anthony@footsteps-in-africa.com

SANTAWANI & SANKUYO BUSH CAMP CLOSURE

It is with regret that Footsteps in Africa has to inform you that Santawani Lodge and Sankuyo Bush Camp has been closed with immediate effect. We cannot accept any further guests at the lodge and do not anticipate being able to do so in the foreseeable future. All affected reservations will be moved to alternative accommodations and will be dealt with on a case by case basis. 
Please liaise with Tara (res3@footsteps-in-africa.com) or Silke (res2@footsteps-in-africa.com)

The apparent failure of yet another community-based tourism venture in Botswana is a very sad day not only for tourism in Botswana but the entire Southern Africa region. In recent years we saw the disintegration of two similar such ventures with two large well known Botswana Tourism Companies and I cannot but help think that something radical now needs to be done by the Botswana Government. The benefits from ventures like these to the respective communities is well documented and clear to all - ALL?

As an industry we have a social-economic responsibility towards the peoples of Botswana, however we can not continue to support joint ventures with communities only to see them fail one after the other and then blame the very people who where prepared to invest (time, money, expertise) in community tourism.

Footsteps in Africa calls on the entire Tourism Industry to assist us in bringing about fundamental change in the way in which community tourism is administered and contracted, it is only by a clear show of common sense and purpose that we as an industry can really help those who have the greatest to benefit from tourism.

To all of you who have brochured, packaged and website included Santawani and Sankuyo Bush Camp - I thank you on behalf of those you tried so hard to help - I now ask you to once again send us all the detail of the promotion/s you have undertaken, that it may be used as clear and concise evidence of how much was really done- perhaps someone in the Halls of Power will listen.

It is laudable that we give people fish to eat - it is far greater to teach people how to fish!

The detailed letter from Santawani Partnership is copied to this mail and provides all details...

For further information contact anthony@footsteps-in-africa.com