Motsamai Mokotjo
Ha Matela, Nazareth
AS part of its initiatives to promote tourism in the country, the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) on Friday accredited 34 villagers to provide home stay accommodation.
Home-stays are accommodation facilities provided to tourists by local communities in their houses.
Homeowners can let part of their houses and charge tourists for nights spent. They can also provide, for a fee, meals and facilitate activities such as horse riding, mountain climbing and site-seeing excursions.
The accreditation followed a two week training workshop at Ha Matela Farmers’ Training Centre in which the villagers were equipped with hospitality, customer care, etiquette and housekeeping skills.
The training for the villagers, from Thaba Bosiu, Boroana, Pulane and Malimong, was conducted by consultant firm Marketing Soluxns on behalf of the LTDC.
According to Marketing Soluxns Facilitator, Maleshoane Moea, the group was now ready to host tourists in their homes.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you are ready to receive and accommodate tourists who will come to see the beauty of Lesotho,” said Ms Moea.
She urged the graduates to implement what they had learnt, adding that tourism was a difficult business which required patience.
A cost benefit analysis of hosting a tourist, Ms Moea noted, revealed that a family would likely get up to M1 400 per week.
Ms Moea also implored the villagers to be vigilant against the possible harassment of tourists by youngsters during their visits to Lesotho, saying the ensuing negative publicity was bad for business.
Herd boys have been accused of bothering tourists by begging for goodies and cash, and attacking those who fail to comply.
As a result, some of the aggrieved holidaymakers were spreading news of the harassment through social media, prompting the LTDC to embark on a campaign in March to conscietise villagers on the need to protect the tourism sector.
Said Ms Moea: “We should find out and learn what tourists like as well as what they don’t like. Herd boys should not assault them.”
Echoing similar sentiments, LTDC Chief Executive Officer, Mpaiphele Maqutu said the country’s status as the ultimate tourist destination should be preserved.
“There’s something unique about this country. They (tourists) want to live with you,” Mr Maqutu said.
“They have far more fancy hotels than ours, but all they want is to see how a Mosotho resides in his or her rondavel; they crave for such things.”
He added that government had identified tourism as one of the critical areas through which Basotho’s lives can be changed for the better.
“We want tourists to stay here and not in the small towns close to our borders such as Ladybrand, Ficksburg and others,” the LTDC chief said.
“Currently, tourists are staying there with those towns making money at our expense.”
Mr Maqutu said plans were in the works to help the graduates access financing with the assistance of the Basotho Enterprises Development Corporation (BEDCO).
On behalf of the graduates, Jubere Molete said the two week course was “life changing”.
“We are happy and indeed ready for the home stays, but we know we are going to face challenges,” said Mr Molete.
LTDC Head of Investment Promotions also said the corporation is planning to hold more workshops in Ketane, Moteng and other areas but are yet to find a venue.