By Tseliso Tsosane
The Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) this week announced the introduction of a tourism levy, with effect from July 1 this year in a bid to generate revenue for the promotion of vibrant tourism industry and the country as choice of destination for local and international visitors.
Tourism levy collection is viewed as a milestone which will be productive in assisting to market the country’s tourism attraction places locally and internationally, building capacity of tourism enterprises, development and maintenance of tourism products and facilities, training of front liners as well in investment purposes and in installation of tourism specific signage.
Speaking on behalf the corporation, LTDC chief executive officer Maurice Thamae pointed out that all tourism businesses such as accommodation facilities, events holders and tour operators and travel agents have a big role in ensuring that tourism levy collection becomes successful.
“Tourism stakeholders such as restaurants owners and accommodation facilities are responsible in tax collection aimed for the betterment of their businesses, so we are on the verge of giving training to relevant stakeholders to give them insight on how the levy will be collected, as well to share with them the benefits of this revenue to both them as the tourism private sector and the government,” Thamae stated.
He further reiterated that both domestic and international tourists are liable to pay this levy, which is done purposely to bolster the country’s economy through tourism as an engine that has the capacity to boost the economy as well to develop infrastructure of the country.
“The problem we are currently facing is that our country is visited for free and nobody pays to see our beautiful tourism facilities. So, through this initiative of levy tax we are trying to begin to reap the benefits of our beautiful tourism places,” he added.
For her part, LTDC’s levy tax officer ‘Masalang Khasake also echoed these sentiments, emphasized that tourism is vital in improving the country’s economy by job creation, and plants a sense of cultural exchange between foreigners and citizens.
“So, what is worth noting is that the revenue generated will not be under the government’s control, rather it will be administered, managed by LTDC through the guidance of a special committee that comprises the director of tourism from the ministry of tourism, environment and culture as chairperson, an LTDC official nominated by the CEO as the secretary, a legal representative from ministry of tourism, environment and culture, a Lesotho Revenue Authority representative, a representative from Lesotho Tourism Council and a business risk management specialist who will be appointed through transparent means and competitive process.”
