The world Tourism Day and Month is celebrated globally, every year in September, with the World Tourism Day (WTD) being commemorated on the 27 th of the month, under the auspices of the United Nations World Tourism organization (UNWTO), and national tourism authorities. The WTD aims to highlight the importance of tourism to the social, cultural, and economic development of countries, while bringing attention to critical issues of conservation and environmental protection, coupled with sustainable and responsible development.

Annually, the UNWTO selects a theme for commemorating WTD. Following the “Tourism Enriches” theme in 2006, this year’s campaign highlights the opportunities that that the sector offers for women for women under the theme “Tourism Opens Doors for Women”. In Lesotho the main WTD event shall take place on Friday October the 12 th, to also coincide with the launch of the “Lesotho Haeso” campaign, the latter of which is an initiative by the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture to raise awareness and appreciation of tourism within the local market. The launch is a three part affair involving the campaign, and the newly established National Performing Troupe and the Tourism Police.