ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES

The country is under-supplied with accommodation facilities of appropriate standards particularly at key and strategic tourism nodes.

Lack of accommodation is the major source of revenue leakage from tourism in Lesotho . Droves of tourist from South Africa cross into Lesotho for the day, only to go back and sleepover in South Africa .

There is therefore a pressing need for development of accommodation. The estimated requirement is summarized below:

Type of Development : Medium size (up to 100 rooms) boutique lodges

Standard of Development: Up-market, 4 -5 Star.

Target Areas / Nodes (and Numbers):

•  ‘Moteng to Sani Top route: 2
•  Sani Top: 1
•  Sehlaba-Thebe: 1
•  Semonkong: 1
•  Katse Dam Area: 1

These could incorporate such specialized services and activities a fly fishing and health spars and conference facilities.

2.1.2 Type of Development: Small to Medium scale hotels in the

mountain towns of Lesotho .

Standard of Development: Medium to high, 2+ Star

Target Areas / Nodes (and Numbers):

•  Thaba Tseka: 1
•  Mokhotlong: 1
•  Qacha's Nek 1
•  Quthing 1

HEALTH AND WELLNESS RESORTS

Lesotho has a number attributes that can be leveraged to position the country as a health and wellness destination. These are:

•  High altitude
•  Clean mountain air
•  Abundance of naturally clean water
•  Distinct seasons of the year
•  Endemic medicinal plants
•  Hot springs
•  Seclusiveness

Thus health spars and wellness resorts are one other area with great potential which we are promoting robustly.

WATER SPORTS AND RECREATION

Existing and prospective Lesotho highlands water project lakes pose a notable opportunity for initiating water-based sporting and recreational activities. In particular the lakes are suited to leisure cruse boats and extreme sporting events. Already the corporation (LTDC) is operation a small cruise on Mohale dam. This operation will be transferred to the private sector for more efficient operation and further development.

We are eager to have this type of activities on both the Katse and Mohale dams. In addition to these two dams there are further developments in the pipeline, such as phase 2 of the highlands water project, and the Metolong lowlands water supply reservoir which will spawn more lakes.

HIGH ALTITUDE TRAINING FACILITIES

One major unique features of the country is altitude. Lesotho is the only country in the world which lies entirely above 1000m above sea level. In fact, the lowest point in Lesotho 1400m above sea level.

Thus Lesotho is an ideal location for high altitude sports training facility.

A high class, integrated facility is envisaged that would feature among other things:

•  Out- door and indoor sports arenas
•  Accommodation
•  Wellness spar(s)
•  Sports treatment / medi-centre

SPECIFIC PROJECTS

Besides the broad sector opportunities highlighted in the foregoing paragraphs, there are a few specific investment projects that have been identified and being promoted. These include:

•  Koti Sephola Ski Resort

A site has been identified at the Koti Sephola, which is an ideal location for a second ski resort (the first being Afri-Ski, which started operations two year ago) in Lesotho .

This is intended to be an all-year-round holiday resort, incorporation other facilities and activities and complementing the winter ski facility.

•  Katse Tourist Town

The concept is to develop a tourist town at Katse Dam that would be attractive to and suitable for up-market visitors. This village should take the form of a purpose designed settlement that is focused on the needs and demands of the targeted tourist market segment

The tourist town would include a hotel, bed and breakfast accommodation, back packer hostel, restaurants, retail outlets, art and craft outlets, bars and museums. The primary concept is that that the village should have a limited number of large establishments operated by large tourism organizations and a large range of small tourism establishments operated by individuals or small enterprises. Opening the village up to individuals will permit in the inflow of intellectual, artistic, entrepreneurial and financial capital into the village which is essential in establishing

such a tourism village.

•  HNRRIEP Lodges

Accommodation facilities are being put up in some of the key tourist areas in Lesotho as part of the Highlands Natural Resources and Rural Income Enhancement Project (HNNRIEP). Such facilities are being put up at: Tshehlanyane Nature Reserve, Liphofung Caves and Bokong Nature Reserve. When complete these facilities will be “privatized” for operation and further development.