By Phumzile Ndlovu
MATOLA – The second leg of the Trialand Excursion kicked off yesterday morning.
The aim of the Trialand Excursion is to promote tourism relations between three countries which are South Africa, Eswatini and Mozambique.
Last year in October Eswatini was the host country for the excursion, which involves visiting different places that promotes the beauty of that country.
The Eswatini delegation left Mbabane just after 9am and were met by the Mozambique delegation at the Lomahasha Border Post.
After crossing over to Mozambique the delagation had its first stop at Quinta Arca. The delagation toured the rooms and at the hospitality establishment which was opened just after COVID 19.
The second stop was the MHMFARMS Exotica which is a mini zoo and got to see wild animals up close. Some were brave enough to pose with the giant snake for pictures while some tried horse riding.
After the nature adventure the three countries were escorted by heavily armed police as they drove through Matola. The convoy was escorted safely to the next stop which was the Matola Monument where the delagation were educated on the history of how the relationship between came about in after the Matola attacks that took place on 31 January 1982. The attacks killed a few South Africans who were in the three safe houses during a bomb attacked during the height apartheid. The monument was erected in their honour.
The delegation had a late lunch around 4pm at the Tesco do Juan restaurant where they were also treated to live music.
After the lunch the delagation was escorted to their place of aboard which is Premium Lodge in Matola.
The welcome dinner saw different speakers take to the podium, namely Maputo Governor
Manuel Simao Novunga Tule, Mozambique Tourism CEO Richard Baulene, Mpumalanga Ntwanano Mtungwa Executive Manager Tourism of Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency.
Fredson Bacar Secretary of State.
Eswatini Tourism Authority CEO Vusi Dlamini in his speech highlighted the success of the excursion.
Dlamini acknowledged the remarkable efficiency and innovation shown by the technical teams from the Mozambique Tourism Board (INATUR), Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency (MTPA), and the Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) in executing the familiarization tour.
He revealed that he was pleased to share some exciting news that in December 2024, the Kingdom of Eswatini welcomed 111,171 international visitors, marking a 40.5% increase compared to December 2023. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) region continues to be the primary source of these visitors, with South Africa contributing 74,775 and Mozambique 17,532 visitors. This surge underscores Eswatini’s growing appeal as a festive season destination, allowing us to close the year on a high note.
Collaboration for Growth
To capitalize on this momentum, it is essential for Eswatini, South Africa, and Mozambique to collaborate on a joint tourism strategy. This could include:
Joint marketing campaigns to promote the region as a unified destination, showcasing the unique attractions and experiences each country offers.
– Infrastructure improvements, such as shared transportation and accommodation facilities, to enhance the visitor experience.
– Development of joint cultural and sporting events to attract global visitors.
Dlamini highlighted that by working together, the Triland can strengthen our tourism industries and enjoy the economic benefits of increased international arrivals.
The Eswatini Tourism CEO acknowledged the ole of media and stakeholders.
“To the tour operators and media representatives from Eswatini, Mpumalanga, and Mozambique, the Triland initiative serves as a powerful platform for networking, cultural exchange, and sharing industry best practices. Your role in disseminating information about our tourism products is invaluable. We appreciate your commitment to profiling and promoting the beauty of our countries to both domestic and regional markets.” He added,
“On behalf of the Eswatini Tourism Authority, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to INATUR and MTPA for their exceptional hospitality during the Triland Mozambique Excursion. Your warm welcome and seamless organization contributed to the event’s success. This collaborative spirit exemplified by the Triland initiative highlights our shared commitment to regional tourism growth. We look forward to strengthening our ties to create unforgettable experiences for visitors across our three nations.”
