Rethabile Pitso
TRAVEL operator Leseli Tours, in collaboration with the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC), are set to host the first annual Corporate Challenge with the aim of promoting domestic tourism.
According to Leseli Tours directors, Rethabile Stephen Morake and Chakela Joseph Thaba, the challenge will consist of a series of expeditions to 20 attractions as part of efforts to make Basotho tourists in their own country.
“We have come to the realisation that many Basotho overlook Lesotho as a holiday destination or a place worth visiting but, instead, go abroad for holidays,” Mr Morake said.
“There are many tourist destinations which are mostly taken advantage of by outsiders so we wish to promote these in line with the LTDC’s advocacy theme ‘Know Your Country First.’”
He added that the outdoor adventure and travel tour company was currently inviting the corporate sector to send teams of four members each for the three week challenge. The companies would have to fork out a M30 000 entrance fee to participate in the tournament.
The Corporate challenge, Mr Morake said, will take the form of the reality television game show The Amazing Race with the teams whisked to different destinations to compete for a yet to be announced prize.
The tourney, which he said will be broadcast on national television, will consist of 10 adventure activities, including walking and abseiling. The winners at each stage will then advance to the next challenge. Viewers will also be able to participate by voting for their favourite companies to either stay in the competition or be ejected.
Mr Morake said the dates for each challenge would be pre-set, “preferably on weekends with Fridays the day for the teams’ arrivals at the destinations, Saturdays for actual activities and departure on Sundays to avoid interrupting formal working days”.
Some of the venues lined up for the challenge include Katse Dam for fishing, Afriski resort for skiing, boat riding at Motebong Guest House, shopping in Maseru, hiking at Tsehlanyane National Park and abseiling at Semonkong among others.
Mr Thaba said Leseli Tours also initiated the event to foster the creation of platforms in the private sector that add value to the country’s development.
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“At Leseli Tours we are passionate about this country and we wish to extend that same passion to other patriotic organisations who want this country to prosper,” said Mr Thaba.
“It is about time we inspire the private sector to become more creative and we believe the time to act is now.”
Established in 2010, Leseli Tours specialises in hosting village tours, horse riding, hiking, and canoeing events among others. The company was awarded the Best Tour Operator Award at the 2014 Lesotho Tourism Awards.
In his endorsement letter pledging support for the event, LTDC Chief Executive Officer Mpaiphele Maqutu said: “The initiative will benefit corporates in giving them good exposure and create more brand awareness and a bigger advertising platform for all participating corporates while also creating exposure to the hosts of the challenge.”
