Impact of homestay programmes on sustainable livelihoods for community development in Morija Lesotho
The homestay programme was a government initiative to implement sustainable livelihood community-based programmes in rural areas of Lesotho and especially those rich in ecotourism, with the goal of tackling poverty. This study utilised a thematic qualitative approach, which incorporated ethnographic practices to examine homestay programmes in Morija, Lesotho. Data were collected using face-to-face and semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis produced themes and sub-themes. The study found out that operator packages and prices are very different from one another. The study further revealed a lack governmental support for homestay programmes and operators. Homestay operators in Morija, Lesotho, may establish a homestay association, and shape, customise and price homestay packages. Government may assist operators with homestay business trainings so that they are well-equipped and are able to market their homestays and understand the business model more clearly. Therefore, the study further recommends that the government of Lesotho, through its stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture, and the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation are to assist homestay operators by marketing the homestay programme regionally and internationally. These results would be beneficial to homestay operators, community and government officials and stakeholders to improve the homestay business in Lesotho.
Homestay programme, sustainable livelihoods, operators
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations