Written By: NTHABELENG RANTJA
From: MOHALE’S HOEK ENGLISH MEDIUM HIGH SCHOOL
The question remains inquired, ‘‘what is tourism and sustainable transformation?’’. Well, this refers to the approach of using tourism as a catalyst for achieving sustainable development goals.
To begin with, tourism creates jobs and stimulates local economies. In furtherance of providing tourists with products and services, direct and indirect employment is increased in sectors like hospitality and construction respectively. For instance, accommodation facilities hire chefs, waiters, receptionists and many others. Similarly, street vendors, event organizers, tour guides, travel agents and others also reap financial benefits from tourism as they also provide tourism products. Resultantly, this declines poverty since the employed locals are able to provide for their families.
Again, they are able to pay tax, hence increasing the government’s revenue. Beyond any shadow of doubt, this shows that tourism directly meets the very first and second sustainable development goals, NO POVERTY and ZERO HUNGER, as well as the 8th being DECENT WORK and ECONOMIC GROWTH. As reported by Newsday online, issued in November 2024, LTDC’s public relations manager, Mr. Molapo Matela, showed that locals refer to Roof of Africa, a race held in Lesotho as ‘a rainmaker’ because it brings economic benefits.
Secondly, Tourism significantly contributes to environmental protection and conservation. In order to promote the country as a preferred tourism destination, governments invest on restoring biological diversity and sustainable use of natural resources. It does this through media campaigns that raise local awareness for environmental protection. It also generates revenue for establishing and maintaining natural tourist attractions such as national parks and wildlife reserves.
Consequently, fauna and flora extinction problem is incredibly prevented. www.gov.ls vividly stipulates that LTDC, as a cooperation being a stakeholder in environmental conservation continuously ensures that conservation of wildlife forms part of the agenda in all its public engagement platforms and tourism education programs. This is undisputedly an important mechanism in achieving the sustainable development goal 15, LIFE ON LAND, which focuses on protection, restoration and sustainable use of ecosystems and halt biodiversity loss.
Moreover, Tourism fuels renewable energy investment and clean energy transition. In response to rising eco tourists’ expectations and aspiring to minimize negative environmental impacts of tourism, governments are compelled to invest in sustainable infrastructure, adapt to renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric power, curb greenhouse gas emissions and reduce carbon footprint.
According to en.renovablesverdes.com, the tourism sector is one of the sectors that are making progress in the implementation of renewable energy and sustainable practices due to the demands of eco-conscious travellers. On that account, climate change, an obvious threat to ingredients of good health as well as natural environment conservation will decline. When climate change and global warming decline, future generations will have access to their countries’ resources and good health is definitely guaranteed.
As a consequence, tourism addresses sustainable development goal 7, AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY, 11 SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES, 13, CLIMATE ACTION and 15, LIFE ON LAND.
Furthermore, Tourism promotes gender equality and equity. Both men and women are owners and leaders in the tourism industry and authorities. They own businesses like accommodation, transport and travel agencies. For instance, Mrs Mamello Morejele is the acting Chief Executive Officer of The Lesotho Tourism Development Cooperation (LTDC).
According to Newsdesk Lesotho issued 27 May 2025, under the leadership of Mrs Morejele, LTDC is working closely with stakeholders to ensure that tourism becomes a pillar of economic growth. Tourism evidently empowers marginalized groups, breaking barriers in traditional gender roles and labour markets, allowing them to gain financial independence, social mobility and education. These are major ingredients in making them visible in the society as well as having a finger in the pie when it comes to national and international development. Through this innovative approach, Tourism directly advances the United Nations sustainable development goals notably 5: GENDER EQUALITY and 10: REDUCED INEQUALITIES, thereby fostering a more equitable and inclusive society.
Tourism also plays a major role in ensuring good health. With the aim of meeting tourists’ expectations, governments invest tax revenue in infrastructure such as Hospitals, clinics, clean water supply, sanitation and clean environment. They also carry out clean environment campaigns, health programs physically, online, through radios and television to encourage locals to keep the environment clean and give them health tips. www.researchgate.net also states that general tourist activities can help relax the mind, improve physical and mental health.
As a result, local communities experience enhanced well-being, reduced disease burden, which leads to low death rate in the country. Fauna and flora in a healthy and clean environment also survive longer, attracting more tourists and future generations being able to have access to them. Through this initiative, tourism makes a profound contribution to sustainable development goals 3: GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, and 6: CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION.
Again, tourism is a catalyst for peace. Tour operators work with other service providers such as travel agents, transport, accommodation, and entertainment and tourist attractions in order to create packages for tourists. Working together builds relationships that bring peace among these principals. It also encourages community alliances whereby local communities work together to form entertainment, cultural, and business groups that are financially beneficial to them. This intermingling among community members, creating wealth together brings the spirit of oneness, peace and stability in the country.
Another example is the collaboration between Lesotho Tourism Development Cooperation (LTDC), Limkokwing Lesotho and Lesotho Travel and Tourism teachers association (LTTA) in organizing an annual Travel and Tourism competition, as posted on LTDC official facebook page. The competition does not only allow teachers but also learners to come together and build relationships. Sustainable goals 16: PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS and 17: PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS are definitely addressed by these alliances.
Lastly, tourism catalyzes quality education. Revenue generated by the tourism industry is invested in educational infrastructure such as schools, libraries, training programs that enrich informal education for both locals and visitors. Subsequently, there is improved access to learning resources, enhanced vocational and technical skills that prepare the locals for the world of employment. This also declines poverty in the country as skills acquired by the people will help them get jobs.
Travel and Tourism has also been introduced as a subject in schools in order to teach learners about the economic, environmental, socio-cultural and political benefits of tourism. As a vocational subject, tourism equips learners with knowledge on how to create jobs for themselves in the industry, declining the rate of unemployment in the country. Sdgs.un.org/goals states that QUALITY EDUCATION is the United Nations sustainable development goal 4 and tourism undoubtedly addresses it. Being educated makes it easy for people to get jobs and meet the 8th goal, DECENT WORK and ECONOMIC GROWTH.
In light of the evidence, tourism is not just an industry; it is a transformative force that propels nations toward achieving the sustainable development goals and securing a prosperous future.
References:
en.renovablesverdes.com
