Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini was abuzz this past Easter as visitors flocked into the Kingdom in their thousands, giving the country’s tourism sector a much-needed shot in the arm.
According to fresh figures from the Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA), a total of 39 490 people visited the country over the Easter weekend – a massive 38.9% jump from the same period last year. The spike included 17 225 international tourists and 22 265 Emaswati who live abroad and returned home for the holidays.
Most visitors came from nearby South Africa, with a whopping 13 295 arrivals, followed by Mozambique with 1 571. But the Easter vibe wasn’t limited to Southern Africa – tourists also jetted in from places like the USA, UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands, showing that Eswatini is fast gaining global attention.
ETA’s Head of Marketing, Chunky Mdluli-Dlamini, couldn’t be more thrilled.
“We’re excited about the turnout. These numbers reflect the impact of our marketing efforts and the growing appeal of Eswatini as a travel destination,” she said. “The momentum is real, and it’s encouraging to see both locals and foreigners choosing to spend their Easter here.”
Border posts were busy, especially Ngwenya, which saw over 15 984 visitors, making it the country’s top entry point for the weekend. Matsamo followed closely with 6 011, then Mahamba with 5 269 and Lavumisa with 4 337. However, not all crossings were bustling – Lomahasha reported a dip in traffic.
Accommodation providers were all smiles too. Hotels, B&Bs and lodges saw a solid rise in bookings, with the national average occupancy rate climbing to 63%, up from 55% last year. Hotels led the pack with a 62% rate, while Mbabane emerged as the hot spot, clocking in the highest occupancy at 71%.
Despite still trailing behind pre-COVID figures from 2019 by just over 5%, tourism bosses are confident the sector is on the right track. Mdluli-Dlamini said the Easter performance was proof that Eswatini’s tourism offering is strong and steadily regaining its footing.
“Our job now is to keep the momentum going. With continued collaboration and innovation, we’re hopeful that Eswatini will soon reclaim and surpass its past highs,” she said.
With glowing stats and a clear appetite for travel, all signs point to a bright and bustling future for Eswatini’s tourism sector.
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