Tourism in Lesotho Poised for Rebound in the Wake of Covid-19

Writes Manyathela Kheleli

Of all industries that were seriously challenged by the devastating effects of Covid-19, Tourism was the hardest hit, especially in Lesotho, where there is not much industrialization. A bulk of the country’s economy is heavily reliant on the services sector, where travel and tourism directly account for over 7% of the country’s GDP—a large share relative to the rest of the world. It is not surprising therefore that the National Strategic Development II 2018/19-2022/23 has identified tourism as a game changer for Lesotho’s economy. If Lesotho is successful, the Millennium Challenge Compact II has also prioritised tourism as a sector that is going to benefit from the project. In the year under review, the Government of Lesotho will join the rest of the world to introduce the Tourism Levy, which is critical to the collection of revenue that can be reinvested in the growth of the industry.

To keep the industry afloat, domestic tourism became the only ace keeping the industry afloat, and most accommodation establishments we turned into temporary isolation centres in the fight against the pandemic.

 The Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture was yet to conduct a baseline study to understand the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the tourism industry, tourism has been severely hit because of the restrictions on cross border movements since April 2020. International tourism came to a complete stop. A majority of local tourism establishments, tour operators, travel agencies and the entertainment sectors came to a complete halt resulting in job losses and mounting stress for artists and other sector players. These challenges have forced players to rethink and review their strategies for the sector, particularly on risk management, preparedness and response techniques at times of disaster.

So far, Government, through the Private Sector Competitiveness and Economic Diversification Project (PSCEDP), distributed relief packages to registered and qualifying tourist business and creative industries. The beneficiaries included hotels and bed and breakfast establishments, crafters, tour operators, musicians and related industries. Payment holidays were also provided for operators using government owned premises.

On the flip side, when the restrictions were eased, some players took advantage to promote domestic tourism, which has been a sleeping giant in the growth of tourism in Lesotho. Out of necessity, most establishments provided reduced packages for local enthusiasts to visit their country. The sector saw an increase in packaged hiking expeditions to various destinations across the country. Off road trips in groups and individuals also increased as Basotho embraced opportunities to get out of their houses immediately after the lockdowns.

Going forward, the Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture (MTEC) is engaging with the United Nations World Tourism Association (UNWTO) to explore alternative measures to avert a further loss of business in the sector. UNWTO has pledged to assist the Government of Lesotho to undertake a baseline study to establish the impact of Covid-19 on the industry. This study will inform the revised tourism strategy and map the way forward in the recovery and future growth of the industry. The African Development Bank (AfDB) have also pledged support to revitalize and boost the tourism businesses on the African continent, where Lesotho also stands to benefit.

According to the Ministry, one of the key priorities in the proposed strategy is to reposition Lesotho as a preferred tourist destination of choice. There are also efforts to re-establish the Lesotho Council of Tourism, which will enhance the collaboration between government and the private sector.

Tourism Levy

In the year 2021/22 Financial year, Lesotho will for the first time introduce the Tourism Levy established under the Tourism Act of 2002, as amended in 2006. The regulations of the levy are in advanced stages for promulgation in parliament. The levy is seen as a vital catalyst for the sector to make a more meaningful contribution to economic growth. In particular, the tourism levy will augment income that would assist the Ministry to among others, improve tourism signage, support the marketing and promotion of Lesotho’s tourism destinations, build capacity of tourism enterprises and also invest in the training of tour business frontliners. It is envisaged that the collection and administration of the Tourism Levy will be vested with the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC). Tourism levy rates are yet to be finalized when regulations are officially published, but they will be collected from the collection points below;

– accommodation facilities              rate per room

– border entry points                        rate per loaded/ towed sports, vehicle, motorbike,  leisure boat

– travel and tour operators              rate per centum of ticket sale

– attraction sites                                rate per entry

– events and concerts                      rated annual fee

 

Visa Openness

The extent to which African countries open their borders for foreign visitors is measured by the African Visa Openness Index published by the African Union in collaboration with African Development Bank. The latest rankings published in December 2020 indicate that Lesotho is ranked number 35 out of the 54 African countries surveyed with a score of 0.302. Lesotho ranks a notch lower than Botswana, eSwatini and South Africa who all rank 32 with a score of 0.301. This is a low ranking compared to highly ranked countries such as Seychelles, Benin and The Gambia, which do not require a visa for foreign visitors with a score of 1.0. Lesotho can significantly improve its rating by introducing eVisas or alternatively, improve access to visas for visitors on arrival.

 

ACCOMMODATION

Lesotho boasts a variety of accommodation offers from which visitors can choose from, ranging from classy five star-graded establishments that offer conferencing and casino facilities to those that offer simple bed and break-fast.

Accommodation in the country ranges between established hotels, bed & breakfasts, lodges and guest houses, self-catering cottages and chalets, backpackers, and hostels as well as the fast growing camping facilities.

 

TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Multiple tourism sites across the country were identified for tourism development and those include the Letša-la-Letsie, Semonkong, and Sani Top. Master plans were developed, and four potential sites were developed as visitor centres, those include; Morifi, Thaba-Tseka, Monontša, and Marakabei.

With trade as an important aspect of tourism, the Tourism Ministry developed market outlets for local tourism product value chains. There was a further 11 tour excursionists based in Maseru, as well as 16 tour guides based at Ha Kome, Malimong, Thaba-Bosiu, and Ha-Baroana.

The Country has further brokered linkages with South African tour operators in Clarence, Vaal, Underberg and Bloemfontein, where trained 20 crafters and 89 rural homestay owners from eight communities continue to reap the benefits of these interventions

The country implemented the Lesotho’s Quality Star Grading System to help improve quality and standardize the grading of facilities in the country. The system is currently under review for additional modifications according to the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation.

The system is managed by the Grading Council, which is a division of the LTDC, that was established with support funding from the World Bank and enjoys standards consistent with the RETOSA (Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa) harmonised standards.

The star grading system is an internationally recognised method of classifying the quality of any accommodation facility based on a one to five star rating. This is one of the first such programmes in the region to integrate grading standards that reflect both the overall quality of the lodging facility as well as its environmental impact and suitability for guests with disabilities.

The emphasis is put on features such as room size, furniture and linen, structural soundness, cleanliness, cuisine, bathroom facilities, service and reception facilities. The process is benchmarked on the experiences of Botswana and South Africa, and now Lesotho is a party to the development. The country continues to develop the Lesotho Tourism Positioning and Communication Strategies, as well as the Lesotho tourism brand; the brand has been introduced through activities including the engagement of a public relations agency to raise awareness of Lesotho as a destination in the South African market, and promotion of tourism events such as the Lesotho Sky, Afri-Ski, King’s Cup, Lesotho Tourism Festival, and other festivals.

In 2013 the Sehlaba-Thebe National Park was listed as a World Heritage Site, 65 other heritage sites were documented. As a strategy to protect, conserve, and manage cultural heritage resources, Lesotho began the construction of the National Museum and Art Gallery in 2015. Construction was badly affected by Covid-19 and final touches are currently being put on the finished structure for opening in the current financial year.

 

 

SPORTS TOURISM

According to the NSDP II, sport tourism is increasingly recognised as a tool for development at an international level and is a great opportunity for the tourism sector. It can support development by generating income from sports-related sales and services, supporting business growth, entrepreneurship and job-creation in the tourism sector, as well as the improvement of health and social well-being, and fostering universal values of fair play, mutual respect, and friendship across cultures

“Staging sporting events, whether at grassroots, national, or international levels, can enrich the social and cultural fabric of communities, making them more attractive locations for investors and tourists,” Lesotho government indicates.

Lesotho has also drafted a sport and recreation policy to guide sporting activities, leveraging relationships with international organisations and bilateral partnerships. The country has also received financial and technical support for capacity building in sports. The country already participates in Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games, and Paralympic Games.

Lesotho also provides opportunities for water sport, such as rowing, and existing assets are in place at the Mohale Dam, Katse Dam, and Metolong Dam.

Tourism reports have described Lesotho’s topography as ideal for all manner of high-altitude adventure sports, and the mountainous highlands pose an exhilarating challenge for climbers, hikers and bikers against the backdrop of a pristine and scenic natural environment.

There are cycling, motor biking and quad biking adventures, as well as 4×4 trails in the highlands, with off-road driving offering many challenging routes through breath-taking mountain scenery.

 

Cycle tourism is the fastest-growing sporting tourism sector in the world and Lesotho possesses enormous potential in this regard. This is attributed to the country’s many different mountain biking trails which follow dramatic routes throughout the highlands.

Under the stewardship of the Lesotho Sky Mountain Bike Race, enthusiasts of mountain biking in Africa have something to look forward to covering more than 350 kilometres of raw, natural mountain trails over six day, the race takes riders to the edge of MTB Nirvana. This international event was launched in 2011 with only 22 riders, and has since grown into one of Africa’s most spectacular and toughest stage races, bringing together top athletes from across the globe.

The Lesotho Sky Race takes place in September and has been recognised by the International Cycling Union (UCI) since 2013, and hosts both professional and amateur teams. In 2015, the race was awarded an upgrade from a C2 to a C1 event, allowing UCI riders to earn more points and also earn more prize money.

The Mountain Kingdom also plays host to the Kingdom Enduro, which takes around March 22 and 24.The three-day enduro mountain bike stage race, through a network of mountain trails, developed by route director Réné Damseaux and his trail building team runs in a three to five stages per day.

In 2018, the Kingdom Enduro was added to the list of 50 Enduro events from 24 countries and 4 continents around the globe as an official EWS qualifier. The team behind the Lesotho Sky and Kingdom Enduro – Sky Events (Pty) Ltd – also offers guided mountain bike tours.

 

Biodiversity Status:

Flora: Relative to its size, Lesotho is deemed incredibly rich in natural and cultural diversity and has unique habitats and high levels of endemism, estimated at 30% It is estimated that Lesotho has at least 54 endemic plant species including, Aloe polyphylla, Euryopsinops, Aponogetonranunculiflorus (Sehlaba-Thebe water lily, lijo tsa lihohoana) and Gnidiasingularis (Moomang).

Most of these endemic species are confined to the globally recognised biodiversity hotspot in the Southern African Mountains, referred to as the Drakensberg Alpine Centre (DAC) which Lesotho accounts for about 70% of the DAC.

Fauna: Lesotho’s fauna, particularly birds, has been more documented than flora. This may explain why major conservation efforts have focused specifically on birds such as Geronticuscalvus (Southern bald Ibis, Mokhotlo) and Gypaetusbarbatus (Bearded Vulture, Ntsu kobo-kobo).

It is estimated that Lesotho has a number of endemic mammal species including, Otomyssloggetti (Ice Rat) and Mystromysalbicaudatus (white-tailed mouse) (MDTP, 2007; Pomela et al., 2000), however, recent monitoring reports in the Mohale and Katse dam catchments documented a significant decline in the number of groups and group sizes of species of carnivores, antelopes, hare or rock rabbits and small mammals.

Thirteen of the 340 recorded bird species housed in Lesotho are Red Data listed by the Department of Environment’s 2014 report. There are 14 recorded fish species, with Pseudobarbusquathlambae (the Maloti Minnow) being the only endemic fish species found at Sehlabathebe.

“The three indigenous species; Labeobarbusaeneus (smallmouth yellow fish), Labeocapensis(the Orange River mudfish) and Austroglanissclateri (the rock catfish) and two non-native species Oncorhynchusmykiss (Rainbow trout and Salmotrutta (the brown trout) were introduced well before the construction of the dam,” LHDA reports recorded.

 

PLACES TO VISIT AND ACTIVITIES: ( http://www.travellesotho.com) :

HA KOME CAVES: The awesome Ha Kome cave houses of Lesotho’s Berea District are surely one of the most striking wonders in the country.

Carved directly from the rock faces of the surrounding mountains, they can be found hiding between the valleys close to the village of Mateka.

A truly earthy and interesting look at traditional family living in this part of Africa, the structures are still inhabited by the descendants of those who built them almost 200 years ago.

A visit to the caves is guaranteed to introduce you to the cave dwellers and take a tour of the on-site Ha Kome Visitors Centre, which unravels the heritage of these curious highland settlements. The Kome Cave dwellings built in the 19th century are still habited  by the original families. The caves have been carefully restored and a visitors’ centre has been attached to the site. They have been declared a National heritage site.

Activities at Kome: Cave dwelling Expeditions, Pony trekking, Bushman Paintings sighting.

 

KATSE DAM and MOHALE DAM: Katse dam is second in size (in Africa) only to the Lake Volta Akosombo Dam in Ghana. The view of this massive dam from Mafika Lisiu Pass is magnificent and is often of great interest to visitors. The centrepiece of the whole project is the dam wall which is the highest in Africa.

Activities at Katse Dam: Boating, Pony trekking, Hiking, Katse Dam information Centre, Scenic mountain views.

MOHALE DAM supports the Katse Dam with water flow and maintains the level. A very large rock-fill dam, located on the Senqunyane River. Mohale offers a variety of activities such as boat cruise, pony trekking and hiking.

Activities at Mohale: Boat cruise, Pony trekking, Hiking, Dam Scenery, Rock Paintings.

Semonkong: Nestled between the dusty escarpments of the Maseru District, close to the geographical heart of Lesotho as a whole, the little conglomeration of bamboo-topped thatch villages and huts that is one encounters is Semonkong. It might not look like one of the most-visited spots in the country; but it is.

That honour surely has to go to the mist-producing plume of the great Maletsunyane Falls, which can be found roaring over the edge of a table-top mountain nearby. Thousands of visitors come to wonder at this great natural creation, to scale the mountain paths in its presence and see the ice-caked plunge pools into which it descends.

MALEALEA : Malealea, regarded as one of the top destinations in Lesotho, is a perfect one stop destination for a relaxing and adventurous holiday. A local band, using their homemade instruments, entertains guests in the evenings.

Malealea is a perfect base to enter Lesotho before travelling to various routes across the country. For visitors wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of town life Malealea is the ideal place, situated in a remote and rural village, where a tourist can experience peace and serenity – a real time to unwind.

Malealea customize trips to suit the requirements of a traveller. A visitor can be taken to really remote areas, either camping in Basotho villages. Come and Explore Malealea with an overnight pony treks, hiking, mountain biking, village walks range from 1 hour to 6 days or longer, where one can overnight en-route in Basotho villages. No visit to Lesotho would be complete without pony trekking. It is the transport of choice for most Basotho as the sturdy ponies handle the narrow trails better than any 4×4 can.

Lesotho is a world without fences, breath-taking scenery proliferates and every season has unique attractions.

Sani Pass: The road drops from there down the torturous menders of the Sani Pass as it descends from the mountain plateau down the Drakensberg Mountains and into the South African province of Kwa-Zulu Natal. The Sani Pass was originally a bridle trail for pack animals and was opened up for vehicle transport in the 1950’s. The Sani Pass is the gateway to Lesotho’s Roof of Africa circuit that links the spectacular scenery of the Drakensberg with the attractions of Northern Lesotho, as well as South Africa’s Golden Gate National Park via Caledonspoort or the Monontša Pass.

THABA BOSIU MOUNTAIN:  The name Thaba-Bosiu means the ‘Mountain at Night’. It was in July,1824 when Moshoeshoe and his people took occupation of the mountain which his brother Mohale had reconnoitred.

He named the mountain Thaba-Bosiu – Mountain at Night because he and his people arrived there in the evening and the essential protective work took him until late at night. Many years later the news to intimidate his enemies was spread that at night time the mountain grew larger than usual. This is where the Basotho nation was built. The fortress has eight springs and seven passes, the main one being Khubelu. Thaba-Bosiu was never conquered by his invaders.

The mountain is flat-topped and it is situated in the valley of the Phuthiatsana River. It is about 25 kilometers east of the junction of this river with Mohokare or Caledon that divides Lesotho from the Free State. It rises about 106m from the surrounding valley and its summit is surrounded by a belt of perpendicular cliffs some 12m high on average.

SEHLABATHEBE NATIONAL PARK: Situated at the heart of Qacha’s Nek, the paradise on the tops of the Maloti Mountains, Sehlabathebe National Park occupies around 68 square kilometres on the very roof of Lesotho.

It’s actually joined at the hip with the Maloti-Drakensberg Park, the National Park across the border in South Africa, and boasts the same breath-taking vistas of rolling highland savannah, wild flower meadows and verdant valleys overlooked by craggy faces of primeval stone.

Intrepid travellers flock here to ride across the plateaus on horseback, encounter semi-nomadic tribal peoples, and embark on some of the most beautiful trekking trails in the entire Qacha’s Nek region. This is one of the designated national parks in Lesotho. It comprises 6500 hectares at an average elevation of 2400m. The park conserves an area of high mountain plateau bordering on South Africa. The area is full of wonderful rock formations, huge rock overhangs and many small lakes. The park is both important and extremely interesting to those who enjoy bird watching or alpine flora. There are some hardy mountain bucks to be seen, as well as small mammals, a wealth of birdlife, and a diverse Cape alpine flora. Of particular interest is a small minnow-like fish (Oreodaimonquathlambae) that was thought to be extinct, but has been rediscovered in the upper reaches of the Tsoelikana River.

Activities at Sehlabathebe: Birdlife, Wildlife, Fauna and Flora, Pony trekking, Rock shelters and Hiking

BOKONG NATURE RESERVE: Comprises of 1970 ha and straddles the northern access road at the top of the Mafika Lisiu Pass between Pitseng and Ha Lejone, on the way to Katse Dam. At more than 3000 meters above sea level, the reserve is one of the highest nature reserves in Africa. The reserve contains extensive afro-alpine wetlands in the sources of the Bokong river and the Lepaqoa stream as well as vast grasslands. Bokong offers an excellent opportunity to view the bearded vulture and a number of other bird species endemic to the afro-alpine zone.

TŠEHLANYANE NATIONAL PARK; highlighting the game camp found within the North-Western section of the park. Tšehlanyane NP is 5392ha in total with an area of approximately 426ha fenced with standard 1.4m game fencing. The current herd of eland are therefore found within the 426ha game camp.. Due to the small area of grazing land within the perimeter fence, fighting between territorial bulls is common as the population grows. Displaced bulls may break out of the perimeter fence and become a threat to both human life and farming communities surrounding TNP.

AFRISKI MOUNTAIN RESORT is a year-round mountain sports and relaxation destination that caters to every taste, from the active to the indulgent. Afriski’s cutting-edge snowmaking technology gives Nature a helping hand it needs to offer skiing and snowboarding throughout the winter season. The authentic alpine ski lodge and world-class facilities combine with warm African hospitality to create a superb snow sports destination.

Families are especially well catered for at Afriski. Equipment hire, skiing lessons and the Pudi children’s club ensures that young and novice snow enthusiasts can improve their skills and increase their confidence in a fun, safe and supportive environment.

The facilities at Afriski mean that visitors can make the most of Lesotho’s dramatic landscapes and breath-taking scenery throughout the year. Afriski is truly a destination for all seasons: The melting snow reveals an inviting network of trails just waiting to be explored. Mountain bikers and trail runners can enjoy the thrill of improving their technical skills as they get fitter at altitude, while hiking, bird watching and fishing are among the more leisurely options.

Afriski’s all-year, all-mountain offering is on par with European and North American resorts – without the need to get on a plane. The range of accommodation options means that – just like on the slopes – there is something for everyone. Superior mountain chalets deliver a luxury experience, while backpacker-style accommodation makes the mountains even more accessible.