Limpho Sello
Butha-Buthe
The Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC), in partnership with Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) and Leseli Tours, on Thursday launched Tourism Month commemorations at AfriSki resort in Butha-Buthe.
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in 1979 declared 27 September as World Tourism Day (WTD) and member-nations hold various celebrations in the run-up to this very important occasion, whose purpose is to “foster awareness among the international community, of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value”.
Speaking at Thursday’s launch, the LTDC Strategic Marketing Manager, Nkuebe Lerotholi, said the month would be marked by various activities, among them the presentation of awards to the country’s best accommodation establishments, tour operators and crafters.
This year, World Tourism Month is being celebrated under the theme: ‘Tourism and Community Development’.
“The ability of tourism to empower people and provide them with skills to achieve change in their local communities is the main focus of the World Tourism Month celebration. With the theme ‘Tourism and Community Development’, there would be a global observance in highlighting tourism’s social, cultural, political, and economic aspects in creating effective community-based tourism. Innovation, through collaboration of human and natural resources will be the key in the development of tourism in local communities,” notes UNWTO.
Meanwhile, during Thursday’s launch, LUCT, LTDC and Leseli Tour staff and invited guests had so much fun at AfriSki—the highest ski-resort in Africa at 3050 metres above sea-level.
The various activities on the snow-slopes ended with participants being presented with certificates and medals, as part of the excitement.
LUCT Faculty Manager- Design Innovation and Fashion and Lifestyle, Nteboheleng Lepeana said she had not anticipated such fun when coming for the launch from Maseru.
“I grew up knowing about snow, since it’s common in our country, but at that time, I never thought it could provide such entertaining sport and even attract tourists to our country,” Lepeana said
“I remember we would go as far as modelling with snow, but what we have done today is amazing and has brought out the children in us.
“Today we are skiing, bum-boarding and tubing, which is super fun.”
Ms Lepeana urged Basotho to visit such resorts and “embrace the natural wonder” of their country.
“I wish they could come and explore their country to be able to talk about it to foreigners.
“We should be seen coming here and engaging in these fun activities, so we would be in a better position to explain and market such tourist destinations to the world.
“What I have also seen today is that this place is very beautiful and colleagues can come here to refresh and get to know each other outside the office.”
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