Global recession hits small businesses hard

29 January, 2009 in Botswana, Business, Tourism

source: BOPA
29 January, 2009

KASANE – The global economic downturn that is sweeping across the world has not spared small business operations in Kasane.

Coffee shops, curio shops, Internet cafes and car wash outlets ,in the tourist hub, have experienced a huge slump in their businesses resulting from the economic meltdown.

Small businesses largely depend on tourism but since travellers started to adopt cost saving measures, several small businesses are on the brink of collapse.

The owner of Three Rivers Gallery African, which also offers coffee, Mr Clive Butler, admited that since the onset of the meltdown there had been a fall in profits.

“Just a few are coming. I think people no longer have money to spend. This has resulted in a reduced business.” He said as a way to overcome the recession, he has arranged with the lodges to refer their clients to his shop.

“Every time they bring clients, I offer them commission,” he said. Mr Butler said it is also difficult to rely on [continue reading]

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