By Thoboloko Ntšonyane
MASERU – The founder of the Lesotho Gin and Trout Festival, Tšokolo Makeka, popularly known has as ‘Mr Gin’, has announced his collaboration with the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) to boost local tourism.
These developments were revealed in a press conference held in Maseru today.
This partnership comes ahead of the second installment of the Lesotho Gin and Trout Festival.
Announcing the collaboration, Makeka said the festival is a “revival of the sense of hope” adding that Lesotho is uniquely positioned as an attractive place for tourists.
He said the gin is one of the booming brands in the country and is made by the rich flora that Lesotho boasts.
Mr Gin said there will be exhibitors who will display their products at the festival. The products he said range from food, crafts, and tourism products, and the tourists will also get the chance to see the wildlife hosted at the venue of the festival, Khutsong Lodge.
He added: “The events have the capacity to create wealth for this country”.
For his part, the LTDC’s Head of Strategy, Marketing, Monitoring, and Evaluation, Tebello Thoola said theirs is to create a “conducive environment” for the private sector to thrive.
He reiterated that LTDC is continuing with its mandate of promoting Lesotho as a tourist attraction place.
Thoola says the Corporation encourages tourists to come to Lesotho in large numbers, a move he said is a boon for the country’s economy.
LTDC’s Head of Strategy, Marketing, Monitoring, and Evaluation said the more the tourists spend money in the country, the more the tourism value chain grows.
The other partner of the upcoming Lesotho Gin and Trout Festival is Khutsong Lodge. Speaking on behalf of their establishment, Tšebeletso Naleli said they are ready to host the tourists.
Themed ‘The great awakening’, the event is slated for December 3 and 4.
The tourism industry has been one of the worst affected sectors, thanks to COVID-19-induced lockdowns. However, there has been a ray of hope with the easing of the restrictions that saw a peak in tourism activities.
LTDC is a government agency charged with the mandate to promote tourism activities in the country and internationally by selling Lesotho as the best destination for tourists.
