Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Small tourism enterprises are a driving force in tourism economies. Support for small tourism enterprises seeks to address the challenges they are facing that hinder their business growth and their input into the tourism economy. This study investigates the available support programmes and interventions that are provided by the government of Botswana to promote Small Tourism Enterprises. The significant contribution of small enterprises to local communities has thus seen the prioritizing of small business support and development by the government as a crucial point. Nevertheless, these small enterprises are often faced with many challenges that hold them back to compete with established businesses. The government of Botswana offers extensive business opportunities that favour small tourism enterprises. However, the salient question we are trying to answer is what factors need to be addressed to enable small tourism enterprises in Tsodilo community to grow and reach their full potential? The following objectives have been identified to establish areas in which small tourism businesses require support: To assess the needs of small tourism enterprises to have access to the things that will enable them to reach their full potential, to evaluate if the support in place is meeting the needs of small tourism enterprises and to examine strategies and interventions that can assist STEs. The population sample comprises small businesses in the Tsodilo community. A questionnaire survey of small tourism businesses was conducted to acquire primary data. In addition, secondary data from the national development plan, tourism plans and tourism statistics was used. In general, the findings reveal that a thorough consultation with small tourism enterprises is necessary when support programmes and interventions are developed. By using t findings, the government can evaluate its own efforts and ensure that support programmes are designed to meet the identified needs of small tourism enterprises. Additional research should aim at examining the sustainability of tourism development in the area as well as examining planning processes for tourism-targeted programmes.