Africa-Press – Eswatini. The easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions has generally led to an improvement in accommodation occupancy during the 2021 festive season.
Statistics sourced from Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) reflect there was a slight improvement in the number of hotels, game reserves and guest houses that were visited in December 2021 when compared to the same period in 2020.
Actually, the figures showed that there was an improvement by 0.9 per cent from 28.2 per cent in 2020 to 29.1 per cent in 2021.
Out of a total number of 2 320 hotel rooms available countrywide, a total of 733 rooms were successfully sold. Effectively, this meant that there were only 31.6 per cent rooms which generated revenue for the multimillion tourism industry.
Guest houses recorded 16.3 per cent occupation during the festive season. The total number of rooms sold was only 61 against a total of 375 rooms.
From the 175 game and nature reserves which were ready to offer Eswatini’s tranquil experience, 41 generated the much needed revenue. This led to an occupancy rate of 23.4 per cent.
Overall, the statistics were analysed to mean out of 2 875 accommodation facilities availed, there were 835 which attracted clientele which led to the 29.1 per cent.
It should also be noted that Eswatini’s tourism sector showed a drastic improvement from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic when also analysing the number of tourist arrivals during the festive season of 2021.
ETA reported that the kingdom recorded 12 329 arrivals. In 2020, there had been 10 871 arrivals.
ETA explained that the total number of arrivals through border posts and airport showed a growth by 13.4 per cent when compared to 2020 which was mostly dominated by lockdowns and other restrictions to reduce spread of the virus.
A closer look at the statistics reflected that Ngwenya/Oshoek Border Gate had the number of incoming tourists rising from 4 787 in 2020 to settle at 7 130 in 2021. The difference was 2 343 people which meant there had been an improvement by 48.9 per cent.
Again, Ngwenya/Oshoek also had the highest arrivals even on a daily basis with most tourists arriving on December 23, 2021.
It should however be noted that Ngwenya/ Oshoek remains the only border gate which operates 24 hours as announced by Minister of Home Affairs Princess Lindiwe. The revised operational hours came into effect on December 17, 2021 following a series of bilateral talks between the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Republic of South Africa; spearheaded by His Majesty King Mswati III with South African heads of State spanning several years.
The decision was also reached to bolster trade facilitation and regional integration with neighbouring countries.
The borders with the least activity were and Mhlumeni and Lomahasha averaging less than 50 people per day. King Mswati III international airport also
ETA went to explain that the overall figures of tourist arrivals were dominated by international visitors which were 6 725 compared to 5 906 in 2020. This reflected an improvement by 13.9 per cent.
Emaswati who came back home also improved by 12.9 per cent from 4 965 in 2020 to 5 604 in 2021.
During the festive season and government took a decision to adjust the COVID-19 restrictions imposed under Adjusted Risk Level 1.
Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini, when announcing the removal of the night curfew, which was from 9pm to 4am, said the country was at a time of the year where most businesses, especially in the consumer sector, including hospitality, food distribution and entertainment sectors, expect to increase their economic activity.
The premier said this was to allow the free movement of tourists and citizens returning home for the festive holidays. Dlamini said government was cognisant of the need to balance the restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic with the need to attain full economic recovery.
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