With FIFA 2010 soccer world cup less than two years away tourism sector seems to be blossoming for Africa and Lesotho is also exploring ways on how to benefit from it.

This was evident when Lesotho hosted Germany Parliamentarians as guests at the National Library on Thursday in an attempt to lure the Europeans to visit the mountain kingdom during the 2010 soccer world cup.

Germany as one of the great football playing nations all over the world is expected to qualify for this historic international showpiece in Africa and thousands of their passionate followers would like to accompany them.

This is the opportunity Lesotho would like to seize to attract these travelling spectators to come and visit some tourist attraction places.

Welcoming them, the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Culture due to its unique mountainous and high altitude which is over 13000 above sea level and sometimes referred to as the 'Kingdom in the Sky', Lesotho is the ideal place for the Germans to visit during the FIFA World Cup.

Ms. Lebohang Nts'inyi said besides rich tourism heritage and vast traditional way of life for many Basotho, the tourists will receive a warm hospitality Basotho as the nation known for.

She highlighted that Lesotho is also within the host Nation South Africa's International Airport O.R. Tambo which is only a 45 minutes by air and 4 hours drive.

Minister of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation urged the Germans to also come and use Lesotho’s few facilities in preparation for the FIFA Soccer 2010 if they qualify.

Mrs. 'Mathabiso Lepono said as government they are now renovating Setsoto stadium in order to be used for camping purposes by some European teams.

She also tabulated several projects such as High Altitude training centre and Semonkong Youth Centre which she said require funds to be carried out and requested Germany for financial assistance.

The Minister said the Semonkong Youth centre is envisaged to equip the youth from that area with skills as part of creating job opportunities.

Head of German parliamentarians delegation said tourism sector is source of every country's revenue hence the need to develop it.

Mr. Klaus Brahmig however said such a country should have peace, safety and security as well as good transport infrastructure in order to attract tourists.

He expressed his impression about Lesotho's beautiful scenery saying they flew over snowy mountain tops and Lesotho Highlands Water Project dams.

However he did not make any commitment of coming to camp or visit Lesotho during the FIFA world cup, besides saying Lesotho needs partners like Germany in order to develop its tourism sector.

The four member German Parliamentarians had a two day visit and have returned back to their home country.

They were treated to a traditional songs and dances reception performed by local groups at the national Library and gifts were also exchanged between the Ministers who attended the function and the visitors.

Lesotho has also extended her invitation to England to come and camp in the country during the 2010 world cup, which FA Senior National coach Mr. Fabio Capello visited Lesotho in April this year.

Source: LENA 10/07/2008