Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini’s tourism sector continues to register a strong and encouraging recovery, with visitor numbers steadily closing the gap towards the national target of attracting two million tourists and generating E2 billion in tourism revenue, the Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Honourable Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, has said.
Speaking during a media briefing on Monday, December 22, 2025, the Minister said the Kingdom’s post-COVID-19 tourism rebound has exceeded expectations, driven by renewed international confidence and increased local participation in tourism activities.
“In June of this year alone, we recorded a 16.4 percent growth in visitor arrivals compared to the same period in 2024,” said Jane Mkhonta-Simelane. “This growth continued into the festive peak period, during which Eswatini welcomed more than 111 000 international visitors.”
She further disclosed that between January and October 2025, the country received a total of 867 810 visitors, representing an 11.1 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. According to the Minister, these figures demonstrate that Eswatini is steadily closing the gap on its pre-pandemic performance and moving closer to long-term national tourism targets.
The Minister also attributed the positive performance to the country’s unique tourism offerings, strategic regional partnerships and growing global recognition. She cited CNN Travel’s recent recognition of Eswatini as one of the top destinations to visit in 2025 as a significant milestone for the sector.
“This acknowledgement, together with initiatives such as the Triland cross-border agreement and iconic attractions like Sibebe Rock, confirms that Eswatini offers a distinctive and authentic travel experience,” she said.
The Minister also praised EmaSwati for embracing domestic tourism, noting increased uptake of local accommodation, outdoor recreation and dining experiences. She said the growing culture of local travel has played an important role in sustaining the sector.
Looking ahead, Hon Jane Mkhonta-Simelane said the Ministry is shifting focus from recovery to sustainable transformation, in line with the global World Tourism Day theme, Tourism and Sustainable Transformation. She emphasised responsible tourism, environmental protection and road safety as key pillars for sustained growth.
She expressed confidence that continued collaboration will move Eswatini closer to welcoming two million visitors and unlocking E2 billion in tourism value.
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