Botswana’s tourism sector employed 50,535 people in 2024, accounting for 6.7% of the nation’s total workforce, according to a newly released statistical brief by Statistics Botswana. The findings highlight the industry’s critical role in job creation, particularly for young adults and women, while revealing disparities in wages and regional opportunities.

The report, titled Employment in the Tourism Industries Stats Brief, 2024, found that workers aged 25 to 29 make up the largest share of tourism employment at 21.3%, followed by those aged 30 to 34 at 17.2%. While men slightly outnumber women in the sector overall (51.8% to 48.2%), female workers dominate accommodation and food services, representing 61.4% of that workforce. In contrast, men hold 88.2% of transport and storage jobs.

Education levels among tourism workers vary significantly, with 58.7% having completed secondary education and 18.3% holding tertiary qualifications. Women surpass men in tertiary-educated roles, comprising 51% of such positions. However, men earn higher average wages across most sectors, with the exception of administrative and support services, where women’s earnings slightly exceed those of their male counterparts.

Accommodation and food services emerged as the largest employer, providing jobs for 67.9% of tourism workers, followed by transport and storage at 23.4%. Wage disparities are stark, with managers earning the highest average monthly income at P12,947, while elementary occupations receive just P1,936. Rural workers in transport and storage earn the highest wages (P12,608), nearly double the national average for the sector.

The report also notes seasonal fluctuations in tourism employment, with peaks during holidays and high-travel periods. Statistics Botswana emphasized the need for further analysis to track long-term trends and address income gaps through targeted training and policy interventions.