This paper reports a comparative study of urban tourism development in two areas, Maun and Gaborone, located in northern and southeastern Botswana. More specifically, the study evaluated residents’ tourism awareness and its importance in their lives; assessed economic benefits and employment derived from tourism; and examined impacts of tourism and development issues as perceived by the residents. Data were collected via household surveys and key informant interviews between June 2003 and April 2004. Findings indicate that both study sites bear some similarities in terms of infrastructural development and rapid population growth. The study also found that only a small proportion of the local population is employed within the tourism sector and that the vast majority of tourism-related enterprises are foreign-owned. Various recommendations are outlined to increase citizen participation in urban tourism development, most notably in cultural heritage tourism.