Kome Caves See Festive Season Tourism Growth Driven by Local Visitors

Kome Tourism Development Group has recorded an increase in tourist visits to the Kome Caves during the festive season, with local visitors making up the largest share. The growth points to rising interest among Basotho in domestic travel and heritage tourism.

Kome Chairperson Mr. Kabelo Kome revealed the figures during an interview on Thursday. He said local tourist numbers rose to 191 over the festive period. According to him, this trend shows that more locals are choosing to explore cultural attractions within Lesotho.

The caves also attracted visitors from the Southern Africa Development Community. A total of 89 tourists came from the region, with South Africans accounting for the majority. International tourists from outside SADC were fewer, with only 49 recorded visits, highlighting the need to strengthen global marketing efforts.

Mr. Kome said one of the most encouraging developments was the arrival of 34 students from various institutions of higher learning. These students visited the caves to conduct research, reinforcing the site’s importance as an academic and cultural resource.

Despite the rise in visitor numbers, the group did not record any overnight bookings at the caves during the festive season. Mr. Kome said all tourists were day visitors, a situation that limits income opportunities for surrounding communities and reduces the overall economic impact of tourism.

To address this, Kome Tourism Development Group plans to introduce new activities aimed at keeping visitors at the site for longer periods. Among the initiatives under consideration is the revival of the Kome Beer Festival, which was traditionally held around November. Mr. Kome said tourism is a key source of livelihoods for people living near the caves and should not be seasonal. Diversifying activities is seen as essential to sustaining visitor interest throughout the year.

The group also plans to involve students studying tourism at tertiary institutions. Mr. Kome said they will be invited to share ideas and propose innovative ways to develop the caves. He believes fresh perspectives from young people can help improve the visitor experience while preserving the site’s cultural value.

Poor accessibility remains a major obstacle. Mr. Kome explained that many people are willing to visit the caves but struggle due to road conditions. A small section of the access road needs proper gravelling to ensure safe and smooth travel for all road users.

Tourism continues to play a vital role in Lesotho’s economy. The Lesotho Review and Tourism Employment Survey of 2014 estimated that the sector supported over 20,000 jobs in 2013, with 4,737 people employed directly by the tourism industry. The National Strategic Development Plan II also identifies tourism as a key pillar for economic transformation, noting that Lesotho offers unique attractions not found in highly commercialized destinations. Strengthening the management of such sites is seen as critical to ensuring surrounding communities benefit directly.

The festive season figures at Kome Caves signal positive momentum. With improved access, expanded activities and stronger collaboration with students and stakeholders, the site has the potential to attract more visitors, encourage longer stays and deliver greater economic value to local communities.