This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.

Overview                                                                      

Lesotho has spectacular scenery and potential for eco-tourism. The rugged countryside makes Lesotho ideal for off-road sports. The country hosts the Roof of Africa motorcycle rally annually and is home to the world’s longest commercial single-drop abseil and Sub-Saharan Africa’s only ski resort.
 
In addition, Lesotho has good air and road connections with South Africa. South Africa draws large numbers of international tourists, creating an opportunity to attract side-trips to Lesotho.
 
The tourism industry is being actively promoted by the Lesotho Government, and a number of hotels, mountain lodges and national parks have been developed in recent years. The Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC), a government agency responsible for promotion of tourism, supports tourism sector investment and offers limited incentives to the investors. For more information, visit: http://www.ltdc.org.ls/investments.php. 

Tourism Sub-Sector Best Prospects                                                               

  • Boating Excursions on Dams, Canoeing and other Recreational Activities
  • Accommodation Facilities and Resort Developments
  • Ski-resorts, Equipment and Related Services 

Opportunities         

The tourism sector stands to benefit from the LHWP as existing and prospective LHWP dams create a notable opportunity for water sports and recreational activities.
 
Another major feature of the country is altitude; Lesotho is the only country in the world which lies entirely 1000m above sea level. Thus Lesotho is an ideal location to develop high altitude sports training facilities. There is also an opportunity in the hotel industry –
Lesotho is under-supplied with accommodation facilities of appropriate standards, particularly at key tourism sites. Most tourists from South Africa cross into Lesotho for the day, only to go back to accommodations in South Africa.
 
For more information on the opportunities and incentives in the tourism sector, please visit the LTDC website at: http://www.ltdc.org.ls/organisation2.php

Web Resources                                                                        

Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation: http://www.ltdc.org.ls/
Roof of Africa rally: www.roofofafrica.org.ls
Afriski: http://www.afriski.net

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