The World Tourism Month will this year be commemorated in Ivory Coast on the 27th September under the theme ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’
This was announced by the Minister of Tourism Environment and Culture, Ms. Ntlhoi Motsamai when launching Tourism Month at the event held in Maseru on Thursday
She remarked that it is more than 40 years since the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) member states marked September as Tourism Month by showing off the beauty of their countries and culture.
She said member states educate and raise awareness on the importance of tourism, taking care of the tourists and creating jobs through tourism
Ms. Ntlhoi noted that this year’s theme aligns with the state of COVID 19 that resulted in high mortality rate globally, saying the theme encourages member states to come up with new strategies that will help them attract tourists in the era of COVID19
She therefore appealed to Basotho and all stakeholders to work cooperatively in order to improve the country’s economy through tourism
Also speaking, Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) CEO, Mr. Sehlabaka Ramafikeng said the corporation is working tirelessly to educate private sector on how to handle tourists during the pandemic so they feel safe, saying safety of the tourists is their priority
He added that they are also educating Basotho not to overcrowd the tourists in the villages as it is stipulated by WHO that crowds are super spreaders of COVID 19
Mr. Sehlabaka stressed that the corporation is mandated to help Basotho advertise their businesses, saying this will make life easier for tourists to know the goods and services offered by Basotho even before visiting the place.
The Launch of Tourism month comes after the exhibition in Butha-Buthe where Basotho were given a chance to show their products.
 
By Staff Reporter: ‘Maphoka Likotsi