Tourism Holds the Key to Youth Employment Says Minister Maqelepo

The Minister of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture, Hon. Motlatsi Maqelepo, has highlighted tourism as a powerful engine for job creation, particularly for young people in Lesotho. Speaking during the National Dialogue on Youth Unemployment, the Minister emphasized that understanding the tourism sector opens the door to a wide range of employment opportunities.

“Tourism is not just about travel—it’s about infrastructure, services, creativity, and entrepreneurship,” Maqelepo said. “Once young people understand how tourism operates, they will begin to see just how many careers and businesses can emerge from it.”

The Minister revealed that several major projects are on the horizon, all of which are expected to create employment for local youth. These include the construction of new stadiums, a state-of-the-art swimming pool, a factory dedicated to manufacturing sports clothing, and the development of new tourist attraction sites across the country.

These initiatives are not only aimed at boosting Lesotho’s tourism and sports sectors but also at tackling the pressing issue of youth unemployment by providing both skilled and unskilled job opportunities.

Maqelepo further noted that during the construction phases alone, hundreds of young people will be needed for roles ranging from construction work to logistics and project management. Once completed, these sites will offer long-term employment in tourism, hospitality, maintenance, retail, and event hosting.

He encouraged young Basotho to pursue skills and training in areas related to tourism, arts, and sport, so they can take full advantage of the upcoming opportunities.

With strategic investments and a growing focus on sustainable tourism development, Lesotho is positioning itself as a destination that not only celebrates culture and nature but also drives inclusive economic growth. According to Maqelepo, the future of youth employment may very well be rooted in the tourism spaces that surround them.