GABORONE, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Botswana's aviation industry is steadily returning to its pre-COVID-19 levels, an official said Wednesday.
Modipe Nkwe, the communications manager with the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana, in a telephone interview with Xinhua, said the recovery seems to be steadier than expected.
"Following the lifting of travel restrictions, the aviation industry is gradually returning to pre-COVID-19 operational levels," said Nkwe.
According to figures recently released by Statistics Botswana, the country's statistical agency, the number of air passengers was increasing, as 209,574 passengers traveled by air in the first six months of 2022, compared to 313,321 passengers recorded in the whole year of 2021.
Last year, the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana also engaged foreign aviation operators to introduce direct flights from Europe to Botswana's pristine Okavango Delta.
The tourism industry plays a big role in the nation's economy after the diamond industry. In 2019, the contribution of the travel and tourism industry to Botswana's gross domestic product stood at 13.1 percent, according to the Bank of Botswana, the country's central bank. ■
