…Minister reveals that after Umhlanga in 2025, revenue surpassed E1 billion against target of E2 million
BY THEMBA ZWANE
LUDZIDZINI— Eswatini is projecting to generate more than E2 billion in tourism revenue in 2026, driven by growing international interest in the Kingdom’s culture, traditional events and tourism offerings.
Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta said the projection follows a strong performance in 2025, when the country surpassed its tourism target and recorded more than E1 billion in tourism receipts.
Speaking on Monday, August 31, 2026, at the Ludzidzini Royal Residence Cultural Village during the main day of the 2026 Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony, Mkhonta said Umhlanga was among the major contributors to the country’s tourism performance, attracting large numbers of visitors from outside the country.
She said the continued growth in visitor numbers demonstrated the international appeal of Eswatini’s culture and way of life.
“Today we are very excited to celebrate the Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony where we witnessed a number of visitors from outside the country flocking to the Kingdom,” Mkhonta said.
“They came in huge numbers, more especially to get first-hand experience of our culture and way of life as emaSwati. They get to witness or see our traditional attire, cultural dances and indigenous foods.”
The Minister said the Ludzidzini Cultural Village was playing an important role in giving visitors an authentic experience of Eswatini’s traditional lifestyle.
She highlighted the traditional structures at the cultural village, including the kraal, as examples of facilities that allow tourists to experience what a typical Eswatini homestead looks like.
Other traditional items, including the grinding stone traditionally used to process foods such as wheat and peanuts, are also displayed at the cultural village.
Mkhonta said the ministry was committed to maintaining and improving the cultural village so that it remained attractive to visitors every year.
She said the tourism industry was also benefiting businesses and individuals selling products to visitors attending cultural events.
“Other cultural events have also boosted the tourism industry. Those selling products are also able to sell to incoming visitors,” she said.
The Minister’s comments come as the Kingdom seeks to build on the tourism momentum recorded in 2025, with the country now setting its sights on exceeding E2 billion in tourism revenue during 2026.
Mkhonta said the strong performance recorded after December 2025 gave government confidence that the new target could be achieved.
“It is clear that we will meet our intended target. After December 2025, visitors have surpassed the E2 million target, surpassing E1 billion. This is testament that the world loves the country and they continue to visit us,” she said.
GOVERNMENT NOW RATES HOTELS
As part of efforts to strengthen the tourism sector and improve the quality of services offered to visitors, Mkhonta also revealed that government has this year started rating hotels in Eswatini.
She said accommodation establishments were experiencing strong demand, with hotels fully booked during the Umhlanga period.
The new hotel-rating system is expected to help promote standards within the hospitality industry while ensuring that visitors receive quality services commensurate with the accommodation facilities they use.
Mkhonta also pointed to efforts to strengthen culinary skills within the country’s hospitality sector.
She said Eswatini had brought in new chefs while also benefiting from an exchange of culinary knowledge with chefs from other countries.
“We brought in new chefs. They brought in new cooking skills and we exchanged knowledge on preparing food as different nations,” she said.
Among the countries represented were Nigeria and Ethiopia, whose chefs contributed to the exchange of culinary expertise.
The Minister said the combination of cultural tourism, major traditional events, improved hospitality standards and international visitor interest was positioning tourism as an increasingly important contributor to Eswatini’s economy.
With Umhlanga continuing to attract thousands of visitors seeking an authentic cultural experience, government believes the country’s tourism sector can build on the momentum of 2025 and push beyond the E2 billion mark in 2026.
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