Abstract
Business tourism is a neglected phenomenon notwithstanding its contributions to the tourism industry. There is not enough research on this paradigm as most research studies have mainly focused on the leisure aspect. This study investigated informal sector business tourism in Gaborone, Botswana, with a specific focus on the characteristics, activities, interests, and challenges faced by the informal sector business tourism. The study adopted a mixed-method research design (qualitative and quantitative designs). The primary data was extracted from 30 business tourists in Gaborone and 4 hotel managers who were key informants, while the secondary data was derived from academic and internet sources. The results uncover a depiction of both international and domestic business tourists as well as both formal and informal forms of business tourism. There is a particular interest in informal business tourism particularly by the cross-border business tourists from neighbouring countries who have unregistered individual businesses. Business tourists show interest in leisure activities which reveals that they can make significant contributions in all aspects of tourism, especially during off-peak tourism periods. The study recommends the need for a stronger level of involvement by the Botswana government in business tourism to capitalise on its benefits. The study lay the foundation for more research to be done on the phenomenon of business tourism in Botswana, specifically analysing the impact of business tourism holistically.
M.A. (Tourism and Hospitality)