Volume 4, Number 2

This paper examines the possibility of developing Francistown as one of the Botswana’s tourism destinations. The focus is developmental initiatives that can transform Francistown from an ordinary transit city into a stopover where tourists can spend a few days. It would then be a city similar to Kasane and Maun which are the key tourism destinations in Botswana, also attracting visitors from the neighbouring countries of Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia and South Africa. Francistown is located in the north-eastern part of the country. This part of Botswana as a whole attracts comparatively few international visitors. Francistown has the potential to become one of the key tourism destinations in Botswana. A number of people living in Francistown and surrounding areas are said to be living in poverty emanating from high unemployment. Tourism has the potential to create employment and subsequently eradicate poverty.

Keywords: Economic diversification; urban tourism; poverty alleviation and tourism development.