3.9 Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources The tourism sector is one of the fastest growing sectors worldwide and information and communication technology is one of the strongest forces fuelling its growth. Information systems, computer reservation systems and the Internet are bringing people into contact with a growing number of tourism opportunities throughout the world. 3.9.1 Policy Objectives and Strategies The natural environment of Lesotho offers tremendous opportunities for tourism. Local tour operators and tourist centres can use ICTs to enhance service delivery, marketing reach and conduct transactions with interested parties at relatively low cost. Objectives • Facilitate the growth of the tourist industry by connecting existing and potential tourist centres to ICT infrastructure. • Use ICTs to actively market Lesotho as a niche tourist destination. • Use ICTs to support the conservation of the environment and natural resources. • Promote cross-sectoral collaboration between environmentalists and tour operators to preserve and protect Lesotho in its natural state. Strategies • Use electronic networks to increase the accessibility of information on natural resources. • Encourage usage of electronic transactions in the tourism sector. • Encourage the development of websites amongst all tourism service providers. • Establish easily accessible regional on-line weather advisory systems. ICT Policy for Lesotho 45