A new system for the assessing and licensing of tourist guides is being introduced in Botswana this month.

The previous system of examining professional tourist guides offered by the government-owned Botswana Wildlife Training Institute   will be discontinued and a new qualification for guides is being introduced. The new qualification will be implemented through the Botswana Qualifications Authority-accredited (BQA) institutions registered in the National Qualifications Framework.

Rex Mokandla, an official of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, told Tourism Update that the new qualification was developed by the department and BQA to develop the tour guiding sector. He said the new system would address previous bottle-necks and improve the competency of Botswana guides.

Selwana Pilatwe-Koppenhaver, Stakeholder Relations Manager for BQA, told Tourism Update that the licences of professional guides issued under the old system would be valid and renewable under old system. However, Pilatwe-Koppenhaver said these guides would eventually convert to the new licensing system.

Mokandla explained that BQA would reassess guides who got their qualification under the old system to transfer them to the new system. He said BQA would also assess guides without a qualification, who have work place experience, awarding guides a qualification through recognition of prior learning.  Koppenhaver said after assessment, guides who failed to meet the requirements would be assisted to close the gaps.

Tourism Update is increasing its coverage of destinations outside South Africa. Do you have news in Botswana? Send your news to editor@tourismupdate.co.za.