Tokelo Khausela
THE Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) is making progress in grading local hospitality outfits. It has so far graded more than 200 guesthouses as well as bed and breakfasts (B&Bs).
The LTDC introduced a Qual-star grading program in 2016 for hotels and guest houses.
Speaking to the Lesotho Times this week, the LTDC’s Head of Investment Promotion, Mamello Morojele, said the initiative came about upon observing that there were only hotels, inns and a few lodges which served the international tourists because they had been graded.
She said the LTDC took it upon itself to upgrade guesthouses and B&Bs for them to be at a standard appealing to the international market.
“Lesotho only had a few accommodations whilst tourism is growing rapidly. We therefore had to expand the hospitality sector by helping smaller facilities to upgrade their services,” Ms Morojele said.
Ms Morojele said many guest houses were dependent on government events because international visitors preferred more accomplished establishments such as hotels and lodges.
“This program allows us to capacitate establishments owners with skills on standards thus increases clientele and maximize profits for them. This also improves the tourism sector,” she said.
She said the Qual-star programme rates the establishments with stars, based on the standard they have achieved according to quality, cleanliness and safety from one to five stars.
The Lesotho Hotels and Hospitality Association (LHHA) chairperson, Tsunyane Tṧotetsi, said the initiative was a right step towards improving the tourism sector.
“The government needs to facilitate resources to LTDC so that it can execute its mandate,” Mr Tṧotetsi said.
One of the beneficiaries of the program, Violet House Bed and Breakfast, was graded three stars to become one of the LTDC Qual-Star premiums.
The B&B is a luxury accommodation situated at Thetsane West about 3km from Maseru Mall. The owner Mampeke Makara said she approached the LTDC for assistance before she could start operating the facility.
“The process has helped us tremendously as we now know the required standards to maintain to keep good grades….,” Ms Makara said.
