Desert & Delta Safaris wish to inform our industry colleagues of the most recent update received from Botswana Tourism Board with regards to a new Tourism Development Levy. Download the press release here.
The new Tourism Development Levy is applicable to all travellers arriving in Botswana from 01 June 2017 onward. This levy is to be paid upon arrival at any of the country's ports of entry.
How much is the levy?
Travellers to Botswana will pay USD $30.00 per person starting 1st June 2017
Who is required to pay the levy?
All visitors to Botswana with exception of residents and citizens of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states.
Where is the levy collected?
The Levy is payable at all ports of entry, including airports and border posts, starting 1st June 2017
How is the payment made?
Payments are made at the ports of entry through electronic payment machines which accept cash (US Dollars) and credit cards. After the payment is made, a unique receipt corresponding to the traveller's passport will be automatically generated. The receipt should then be presented to Immigration Officials along with the passport. Both the receipt and the passport will be stamped and handed back to the traveller.
The receipt needs to be kept and surrendered to the relevant immigration officials when the traveller departs Botswana.
The receipt will be valid for a 30 day period and can be used for multiple entry.
The Levy Background & Purpose
The Ministry of Environment Natural Resources' Conservation and Tourism through the Botswana Tourism Organisation has introduced the obligatory Tourism Development Levy (TDL) which will go into effect on 1st June 2017.
The objective of the Levy is to raise funds for conservation and national tourism development in order to support the growth of the industry and broaden the tourism base, resultantly improving the lives of the people of Botswana.
The Botswana Government remains committed to growing the contribution of tourism to the national
economy as well as economic diversification and employment creation.