By Mbono Mdluli
MBABANE – Eswatini attracted a remarkable 43,537 tourists during the festive season, as reported by the Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA).
The report highlights that over 21,600 international visitors chose Eswatini as their destination, driven by effective regional marketing campaigns such as the Triland initiative and the continued recovery of global outbound travel. Additionally, 21,937 Emaswati residing abroad visited the kingdom during the period, contributing significantly to day-trip spending and restaurant revenues—key sectors in the country’s tourism GDP.
Regional and International Insights
Neighboring countries accounted for the majority of inbound tourists, with South Africa contributing 16,638 visitors and Mozambique 2,160. Visitors from the Southern African region made up over 93% of total arrivals during this time. Despite challenges such as extreme weather and fluctuating oil prices, Eswatini also saw notable visits from long-haul markets, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Key Entry Points
The Ngwenya border post emerged as the busiest entry point, with 15,942 arrivals, encompassing both international tourists and returning Emaswati. Other active border posts included Lavumisa with 5,240 travelers, Matsamo with 7,546, and Mananga with 4,288. The data underscores the popularity of the Mpumalanga-Eswatini route among leisure travelers.
Accommodation Trends
The festive period saw a surge in demand for accommodation, with average room occupancy rates reaching 51.4%, a 2.4% increase from 2023. Bed and breakfast establishments recorded the highest occupancy rates at 62%, followed by guesthouses and game/nature parks at 53%, and hotels at 48%. The Lubombo region led with a 58% occupancy rate, closely followed by Ezulwini (57%) and Mbabane (52%).
Dining establishments, particularly those offering Christmas Day lunches, achieved seating capacities between 85% and 100%, reflecting consistency with the previous year’s performance.
Eswatini’s strong showing during the festive season underscores the growing appeal of its tourism offerings and the success of strategic marketing initiatives.
