Overview and Performance
Globally, tourism is among the fast
est growing industries and the larg
est generator of income, with
international arrivals reaching 924 million
in 2008 – a growth of 2%. It is therefore
logical that tourism has been identified as
having the greatest potential to enhance
economic and employment growth in
Swaziland.
During 2009 focus continued to be on the
tourism growth opportunities arising from
the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be held in South
Africa in May 2010. Swaziland is inevitably
receiving spin-off from this major soccer
showpiece, which has been widely and
effectively showcased globally.
In Swaziland, 45.3% of visitors came for
recreational purposes while 12.7% were on
business trips. Others were visiting family
and friends and 5.6% were in transit. They
spent an average of 2.5 nights in the country
– a small increase of .26%.
At December 2008 there were 120
registered accommodation facilities
providing 2,600 rooms. Hotels accounted
for the highest share of overnight guests,
although they recorded a decline of 1%.
During 2008, the guest house/B&B category
recorded the highest growth at 3.9%, while
self-catering and caravanning grew by 2.9%
and 2.3% respectively. Room occupancy
went up by 4.18% to reach 47.76%.
Overall, the sector’s performance was very
good with an all-time record of 416,358
guests and revenue increasing by 12.7% to
E103.6 million.
The development of community-based
tourism during recent years has created
employment in rural areas, where people
previously relied solely on agriculture for their incomes.
Another fast-growing aspect of
local tourism is the recently developed
Maguga Dam route towards Piggs Peak,
where a number of facilities have opened.
These include a lodge and conference centre,
craft outlets, and a restaurant overlooking
the dam spillway. Close proximity to the
main road from the Kruger National Park
in South Africa give further impetus to this
route and adjacent facilities, such as the
Phophonyane and Majlolotja Nature
Reserves.
Continued increased interest in Swaziland
may be attributed to aggressive marketing
strategies by the Tourism Authority and other
players in the industry, as well as the impact
of the 2010 FIFA world cup. Another
positive development is the weaker local
currency which makes Rand Monetary Area (RMA) countries, including Swaziland,
highly affordable for overseas visitors.
The Tourism Research Annual Report 2008
notes that neighbouring countries account
for the great majority of visitors with
781,925 arriving from South Africa and
209,139 from Mozambique.
The majority
of overseas visitors are from Germany
(19,111), the UK (21,581), Netherlands
(17,554) and France (16,619). There was a
4.6% increase in visitors from Portugal: from
6,504 to 6,800 arrivals.
About 52% of tourists are repeat visitors.
Over 96% of respondents in an STA survey
said that they would recommend Swaziland
as a desirable destination that meets or
exceeds expectations. Nearly 60% of visitors
arrive by car and just under 20% on package
coach tours. Ngwenya/Oshoek is the busiest
border post.
Swaziland’s tourism industry is traditionally
faced with competition from neighbouring
countries, particularly from South Africa,
which is one of the most popular
destinations on the continent. However, her
peace, stability and low crime rate compare
well with South Africa’s, as do her unique
attractions. Close proximity to the worldfamous
Kruger National Park is also a point
in Swaziland’s favour.
Swaziland has tended to be an overnight
destination but during recent years stays
have increased to two or three nights with
57% staying for at least one night. The
country is a popular weekend and
conference venue but relies on South
African visitors and on “spillover” by
overseas visitors to the region as the country
is too small to stand alone as an
international destination.
Visa requirements and border procedures
continue to be addressed to facilitate more
convenient entry and departure and there
are plans to extend the hours of two main
border gates to relieve congestion. It is also hoped that, in line with other countries, visa
requirements will eventually be limited or
waived. Swaziland has no jurisdiction over
her neighbours’ border regulations.
The Swaziland Tourism Authority
The Swaziland Tourism Authority is a
parastatal organisation that began operating
in 2001. It was formed under the Tourism
Authority Act with the objective of
stimulating and expanding the industry
through various programs and was officially
opened by His Majesty King Mswati III in
September 2003. The STA is financed by
the Swaziland Government and, until 2005,
was also assisted by the European Union.
The STA board comprises representatives
from the private sector, parastatals and
government, who are engaged in marketing
the country regionally and internationally.
The Ministry of Tourism concentrates purely
on policy and regulatory issues to enable the STA to independently achieve its goals.
One of the primary objectives is high quality
market research and intelligence work to
facilitate effective tourism marketing, to
monitor trends in visitor demands and to
guide decision making.
The STA has made significant contributions
to the development of community tourism,
enabling rural communities to develop
tourist attractions on nation land. This is
undertaken in a manner that avoids any
negative environmental impact.
There are
a total of eight projects under this scheme,
including the Shewula Mountain Camp, the
Mahamba Gorge area in southern
Swaziland and Ngwempisi Trails.
The recent increase both in numbers and
popularity of bed and breakfast (B&B) type
establishments has resulted in a policy
strategy to address proper accreditation for
this category in order to ensure consistent
standards and to encourage and assist them
in complying with international norms.
Among its other activities, the STA conducts
market research to plan and create
awareness of tourism nationally, develops
promotional literature and has a database
web site.
The STA also works in conjunction
with a private sector publisher to produce
Swaziland Discovery, a free-distribution
official guide that takes the visitor through
the country region by region.
The STA provides a toll-free telephone line
at Matsapha Airport to link the unmanned
information centre to the Tourism Office at
the Cooper Centre on the Bypass Road in
Mbabane.
The Swaziland National Trust
Commission
Established by an Act of Parliament in 1972,
the SNTC is responsible for the preservation
and conservation of the Kingdom’s cultural
and natural heritage through a wide diversity
of projects. Activities include operating the
National Museum and the King Sobhuza II
Memorial Park at Lobomba, and preserving
the country’s monuments, sites, relics and
antiques. SNTC also administers the
Malolotja and Mlawula Nature Reserves and
the Mantenga Cultural Village and Nature
Reserve.
The mountainous Malolotja Reserve is home
to game, birdlife, fish and flora, as well as
the world’s oldest mine at Ngwenya,
Swaziland’s highest waterfall and giant potholes.
It offers extensive hiking trails, a
campsite and log cabins. At Mantenga is a
traditional Swazi homestead, where songs
and dances are performed, a restaurant and
accommodation in tents or traditional huts.
Set in the eastern bushland, Mlawula has
abundant game, bird life, fish and flora,
hiking trails, unique cycads and ironwood
trees and offers many activities.
Accommodation is in tents or at the new
Magadzavane Lodge, where there is also a
restaurant and conference centre with
spectacular views.
SNTC operates a community outreach programme and is involved in nature reserve management, environmental education and ecological research through the three nature reserves. At Mantenga a traditional homestead provides an experience of authentic Swazi culture through live performances of song and dance.
Attractions Swaziland offers many diverse and unique attractions that appeal to a wide crosssection of tourists. The Cultural Village at Mantenga in the Ezulwini Valley enables visitors to observe the day to day activities of a typical Swazi homestead lifestyle and learn about the local culture and traditions. The developing sector of community tourism also enables visitors to acquire first-hand experience of Swazi life. Within Swaziland there are several nature reserves where wild animals, including the “Big Five”, birds and indigenous flora thrive in their natural, protected environments. Walking and riding trails are very popular and provide a wonderful opportunity to get close to the scenic countryside, while off-road tours in 4 x 4 vehicles are also popular options. The diverse grades of hotels for leisure and business range from simple and inexpensive accommodation through to the middle group, which is ideal for business people, up to the equivalent of five star hotels. There are also camping sites, backpacker lodges and bed and breakfast options. There are casino hotels at Piggs Peak, Nhlangano and in the Ezulwini Valley, the major tourist centre, where the Sun International Group also operates an international standard golf course. Other activities available to tourists include caving, potholing, white water rafting, horse riding and hiking trails and fly fishing, as well as sports such as tennis and golf.
Craft centres and markets throughout the
country are attractions for many tourists
who may often see the various items being
created and purchase the finished products.
Among Swaziland’s unique attractions are
the colourful cultural ceremonies such as
the Reed Dance in August/September and
the Incwala in December/January, as well
as the traditional Sibhaca dance.
Developments
The development of the Jozini Dam area
into a major tourism resort began in 2005.
This project, valued at about E1.1 billion,
is known as the Jozini Big 6 and is scheduled
for completion in time for the 2010 FIFA
World Cup. This is benefiting the Lavumisa
community and during the construction
period alone, 8,000 jobs were created.
Attractions include tiger fishing, a marina,
a championship golf course, game lodges
and reserves, a casino and time-share units.
In anticipation of the 2010 World Cup, a
number of guest houses have been set up.
However, all accommodation must be graded by a company contracted by FIFA
in order to operate legally. Many established
hotels and lodges have undergone
upgrading in order to meet requirements for
the event.
In another development, a Memorandum
of Understanding was signed between
Swaziland, Mozambique and Mpumalanga
(a province of South Africa that borders
with the two countries) to launch the Triangle
Route and jointly promote the tourism
attractions of the three entities.
Swazi Trails
This well-established company is a one-stop
shop for all tourism services, including
accommodation booking, itinerary planning
and activities for conference and incentive
groups. Corporate theme dinners and
extensive team-building activities are listed
amongst their services.
Swazi Trails operates a seven-days-a-week
information office at the Mantenga Craft
& Lifestyle Centre in Ezulwini, where visitors
can obtain details of all their exciting activity
options.
Half and full day outings include; highlights
tours for those wishing to see Swaziland in
a short space of time; in-depth cultural immersion
with the “Taste of Swaziland” outings,
and guided safari options on foot or
in 4x4’s within Swaziland’s Big Game Parks.
Grade IV white-water rafting, hourly quad
bike trails and the “not for sissies” adventure
caving are the leading adrenaline pursuits
offered by company. Swazi Trails also book
horse trails, mountain bike excursions,
guided hikes, canopy tours and many other
activities.
A good first stop is their extensive
online booking portal www.swazi.travel.
Raw Africa
This Swaziland based company supplies
long and short-term consultancy services to
the tourism industry, providing direct project
or development management. Raw Africa
maintains a comprehensive data base of
services and facilities in Swaziland, as well
as a network of contacts throughout the
regional tourism industry. Areas of expertise
include strategic planning, marketing,
promotional campaigns, product research
and feasibility studies, as well as event
management such as coordinating the
annual corporate raft race. The company’s
photographic library provides a definitive
collection of Swaziland images and is a basis
for high quality brochures and promotional
material. “Promoting confidence in the
tourism industry” is the Raw Africa mission
statement, and the information and
networking capacity of the operation goes
a long way towards achieving this.
Promoting Tourism
Swaziland is extensively promoted as a
tourist venue within the southern Africa region, as well as overseas by the Swaziland
Tourism Authority, which issues appropriate
literature and other material. The Hotel
and Tourism Association is another active
promotional arm for the industry, while
international and regional tourism fairs
provide valuable exposure. Swaziland is a
member of the Regional Tourism
Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA).
Several organisations within the craft and
hotel sector work together in a common
effort to promote the industry and look after
each other’s mutual interests.
ACCOMMODATION/RESTAURANTS
Several hotels and other types of
accommodation, including camping,
are available for visitors to
Swaziland, ranging from very basic to five
star luxury. There is effectively something
to suit all requirements within the leisure
and business categories and because of the
close proximity of business venues to places
of interest, it is feasible to combine a working
trip with a holiday. Several quality
backpacker lodges and bed and breakfast
establishments offer affordable options.
Royal Villas
The prestigious Royal Villas 5-star Hotel
lies amid the Mdzimba Mountains in the
Ezulwini Valley. It offers luxurious, spacious
and affordable accommodation in suites or
self-contained villas, including the new and
exclusive Sultan Suite which is set in its own
gardens, includes a private bar, steam room
and jacuzzi and includes private butler
service. The rooms maximize the African
sunlight and mountain views and the
versatile property can be adapted to satisfy
the needs of almost any guest requirement.
A feature of The Royal Villas, The Lihawu
Restaurant provides an ambience of
contemporary Africa with a menu that
incorporates a fusion between ethnic and
contemporary African dishes from across the continent. A private dining room and a
boardroom facility are available for more
intimate gatherings and private business
functions.
The adjacent Sivuno Wine Cellar offers a
diverse selection of up to1000 bottles of
superior wines and rare vintages and features
the Ensangweni Whisky & Cigar Lounge.
Additional resort facilities include a beautiful
terrace and pool bar with a jacuzzi set
among the stunning views of the Mdzimba
Mountains.
The newly built, state-of-the-art Mdzimba
Conference Centre caters for a variety of
functions for up to 250 people. It is fully
equipped with a PA system, portable dance
floor and stage, independent lighting
controls and the latest AV systems in both
rooms. A boardroom and an outdoor patio
with mountain views complete this
entertainment and conferencing venue.
The Royal Villas Hotel is conveniently
located in the tourism hub of the Ezulwini
Valley with close access to a golf course,
wellness centre, children’s camp and
casinos. Airport transfers can be arranged
at a minimal fee.
Sun International
Sun International’s three hotels in Swaziland
form part of a major group in Southern
Africa. They are located in the scenic
Ezulwini Valley and are within easy reach
of the many tourist attractions.
The Royal Swazi Spa is the flagship of the
local group with facilities such as a casino,
shops, restaurants, a health spa and banking
services. The 149-room hotel also offers a
fully equipped conference and banqueting
centre that caters for up to 500 people in
the auditorium and 650 in the banqueting
hall, as well as the 180-seater “Indibano”
amphitheatre for outdoor experiences.
Sporting facilities include tennis, squash,
swimming, lawn bowls and an 18-hole
championship golf course at the Country
Club.
The luxurious Camelot Health Spa is staffed
by qualified therapists who provide a
diversity of health and beauty treatments
and there is also a gymnasium, sauna and
plunge pool, as well as a refreshment bar.
The facility is available to all Sun
International clients.
The 202-roomed Lugogo Sun provides a
pleasant, more informal ambience with a
restaurant and sports bar, paraplegic pool
plus banqueting and conference facilities,
as well as a boutique and a book shop.
Across the road is the Ezulwini Sun which,
on a smaller scale, offers the same informal
elegance as the Lugogo. Sixty of the 120
rooms have been converted into 20 timeshare
apartments which fall under the
Vacation Club.
The Kamp Kwena Children’s Playground
ensures that youngsters are adequately
cared for and entertained, leaving parents
free to enjoy all the amenities of the resort.
Together the three hotels provide
international standards in the spectacular
setting of the “heavenly valley” GAME AND NATURE RESERVES There are several nature and game
reserves throughout Swaziland
offering visitors a wide variety of
animals, including the “Big 5”, and bird life,
as well as superb indigenous trees, flora and
scenery. Most of these reserves provide
accommodation of varying types, from
camping sites and tents to luxury cottages.
The different tour options are viewing from
open 4 x 4 vehicles, walking and riding trails.
Visitors may also use their own vehicles at
some of the reserves. The greatest
concentration of reserves is in north-eastern
Swaziland. These are collectively known as
the Lobombo Conservancy, where over 35-
bird species are to be found, including
raptors and brown-headed parrots.