….. tourism to lead economy, says king
By Mbongeni Ndlela
NHLANGANO — His Majesty King Mswati III has declared tourism a pillar of Eswatini’s future, stressing its potential to become the largest driver of the nation’s economy.
The King shared these remarks at a post-birthday dinner yesterday evening (5 May 2025) hosted by the owners of the upcoming 7th on the Hill Hotel in Qomintaba, Shiselweni region, a groundbreaking project that has already drawn an impressive E200 million investment in its first phase.
Tourism, the King said, holds the transformative power to uplift entire nations, especially when natural resources are limited.
“Where natural resources are scarce, tourism has the power to significantly expand a country’s economy,” the King said.
“To attract global visitors, a nation must have strong infrastructure to ensure tourists have an engaging experience.”
The King praised the bold vision of the hotel’s developers, noting that such world-class projects are vital for positioning Eswatini as a premier destination on the African continent. The 7th on the Hill Hotel is set to offer luxury accommodation, conference facilities, and wellness experiences, catering to both regional and international visitors.
Beyond economic numbers, the King stressed that tourism development must also bring tangible benefits to citizens.
“It is important that each country creates employment opportunities to improve livelihoods,” the King said. “Such developments should also lead to infrastructure improvements that will enable investment. The country is looking at a holistic approach to economic growth — be it through agriculture, natural resources, financial services, or tourism, amongst others.”
The dinner, filled with optimism and ambition, marked a symbolic moment: a shared commitment between the Kingdom’s leadership and its private sector to build a thriving, inclusive, and resilient economy.
With the E200 million investment already underway and more phases planned, the 7th on the Hill Hotel stands as a beacon of what’s possible when vision meets action. Eswatini’s path to economic transformation, as the King envisions, is paved with innovation, bold investments, and the unwavering belief that the best is yet to come.
Pics by: Eswatini Government
