THE Minister of Tourism, Environment, and Culture, Ntlhoi Motsamai says since women ventured into tourism, they have positively impacted the country’s economy.

She said it was therefore imperative to encourage women to work hard, support each other and build their own legacy.

The minister was speaking last week at an event that was held in Maseru where the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) honoured and celebrated women in tourism.

The event was part of the Africa Women’s Month Celebration.

The Woman in Tourism Programme is an initiative that seeks to drive and support the development, empowerment, and promotion of women in the tourism sector.

Ms Motsamai told participants at the event that she was grateful to be part of the beautiful celebration, promising that next year’s event would be bigger and better.

She, however, said there was still a lot to be done in order to grow the tourism sector, urging the participants to visit LTDC for guidance. 

For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of LTDC, Dr Retšelisitsoe Nko thanked all relevant stakeholders for their contribution, saying the celebration would not be a success without their unwavering support.

He said more women venturing into the tourism business align with SDG5 which is aimed to achieve gender quality and empower all women and girls.

Dr Nko wished them well in their future endeavor, saying they should continue leading in the tourism business as the statistics show.

He said collaboration and sharing of knowledge are key in this business.

Speaking at the same event, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sports, and Recreation, Dr ’Mamoeketsi Ntho said tourism coordinated different sectors, adding that there was a value chain hence tourism could impact the economy positively.

She noted that one of the ministry’s mandates was to support women in business, politics, and social empowerment hence they were supporting women in business.

On behalf of the women in tourism business, the owner of Mahlakapese Guesthouse in Ha Setene, Leribe, Matšeliso Mokuoane said they were ready to support each other to grow their businesses by joining hands so as to transform domestic tourism as well as marketing Lesotho at the international level.