Prof Peter Burns, who is Director of the University’s Institute for Tourism Research (INTOUR), visited the country in his role as a judge for the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.

“Both the public and private sectors in Botswana have complete clarity of purpose in their thinking about tourism. Conservation and sustainability seem to lie at the heart of their efforts to future proof the industry. I was particularly impressed with the sheer quality of the tour guides, their scientific knowledge and passion for what they are doing,” said Prof Burns.

Prof Burns visited several tourism hotspots where he met staff, gamekeepers and the anti-poaching forces that are committed to protecting the wildlife of the country, where hunting has been banned with a shift to lucrative photographic safaris.

“It is professionally empowering and personally enriching to visit examples of best practice in tourism which I am able to apply to research back at the University and also pass onto our students.

“Botswana is not just an example to other countries in Africa on how tourism can be done in a conscientious way, but to the rest of the world as well.”