Botswana has reportedly pulled out of the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA), nearly eight months after the appointment of Chairperson Lily Rakorong, CEO of the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB).

Thembi Kunene-Msimang, RETOSA Marketing and Communications Executive, told Tourism Update: “We received a letter from Botswana’s Ministry of Tourism saying they are pulling out with immediate effect, in April.”

The only reason provided for the sudden withdrawal was that Botswana did not see any benefit in their RETOSA membership, added Kunene-Msimang.

However, withdrawal from the organisation is in violation of RETOSA’s policy rules and regulations, according to Kunene-Msimang, as the organisation requires three months notice prior to resignation. She said that it was unfortunate, as RETOSA has recently re-structured and its new team had worked hard at developing a strategy plan.

Rakorong is currently in conversation with the Ministry to find a way forward, so that Botswana remains a member of RETOSA.