LTDC and LMPS Awareness Campaign Promotes Responsible Tourism and Community Safety
The Community Sensitization Campaign and Learners Educational Campaign held in Katse and Thaba-Tseka marked a significant milestone in advancing community awareness, education, and sustainable tourism development within Lesotho’s highlands. Spearheaded by the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC), with the support of the Bokong and Thaba-Tseka LMPS, the initiative demonstrated the Corporation’s ongoing commitment to empowering local communities and learners through educational outreach and capacity-building programmes aimed at fostering responsible tourism and community participation.
A three-day tourism awareness campaign, which commenced in Bokong on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, concluded successfully on Thursday, 23 April 2026, in Makunyapane, Thaba-Tseka District. The initiative was organized in response to growing concerns over incidents of stone-throwing at passing vehicles, particularly of tourists travelling along the Katse–Thaba-Tseka route. The campaign aimed to promote community awareness, encourage responsible behavior, and strengthen the protection and safety of visitors within the region.
The campaign focused on enhancing understanding of the importance of hospitality towards travelers, while also encouraging communities to identify and engage in income-generating projects that can improve household livelihoods. Through this initiative, LTDC continues to promote tourism as a catalyst for socio-economic development and community empowerment across Lesotho.
The initiative fostered meaningful engagement and strengthened community participation in positioning Lesotho as a welcoming and sustainable destination. The campaign, brought together communities, local leaders and learners, through awareness gatherings and educational sessions held in villages including Ha Khunonong, Ha Kenele, Sephareng, Lekhalong, and Makunyapane. School outreach programmes were also conducted at Bethesda Primary School, Bokong Community High School and Taung Primary School.
Speaking during the campaign, a community member from Makhoabeng Village within the Katse precinct, Mrs. Malerato Loota, expressed concern over the unsavory behaviour of some children who harass passersby from neighbouring villages by throwing stones at them. She described the situation as unfortunate and a serious challenge to community safety and peace. Mrs. Loota further emphasized the need for continued awareness campaigns aimed at discouraging violence against fellow Basotho and tourists travelling through the area.
During the school engagement session, a learner from Bethesda Primary School, Mr. Sello Kostable, described the programme as an eye-opening experience and shared insightful views on how local communities can strengthen tourism within their villages. He emphasized the importance of warmly accommodating visitors and highlighted the need for communities to work collectively in improving tourism attractions, preserving the beauty of their surroundings, and creating a welcoming and memorable experience for guests.
Chief Lephoto Rakuoane of Sephareng village in the Bokong area welcomed the awareness campaign, describing it as both motivating and educational for the community. He noted that there is growing interest within the area to introduce rural homestay accommodation as a means of allowing visitors to experience local culture and village life. The Chief further emphasized that parents and community leaders have a responsibility to instill values of hospitality and respect towards visitors among children.
During the campaigns Sergeant Rethabile Molungoa from Bokong Police Station encouraged community members and learners to obey road signs and warned young people against engaging in criminal activities, noting that crime brings negative consequences and discourages tourism growth. The Officer highlighted that villages known for criminal activities fail to attract visitors and assured communities that the police are committed to working together with residents and Community Policing Forums or Mahokela to combat crime and create safer environments.
Leading the campaign, LTDC Public Relations Manager Mr. Molapo Matela said the initiative forms part of LTDC’s ongoing efforts to protect and strengthen Lesotho’s tourism image. He explained that tourism has the potential to create opportunities for communities through cultural experiences, accommodation services, and local businesses, but this can only happen when visitors feel safe and welcomed.
Mr. Matela further stated that awareness campaigns such as these are important in encouraging communities to take ownership of tourism development while promoting responsible behavior among young people. He added that hospitality begins within communities and that every Mosotho has a role to play in ensuring that visitors leave the country with positive experiences.
The campaign concluded successfully with strong community engagement and renewed commitment from residents, leaders, learners, and stakeholders to work together in promoting a safe, welcoming, and sustainable tourism destination for Lesotho.
