BY OWETHU DLAMINI
MBABANE – The Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) has already begun implementing ways to reach the goal of having welcomed two million tourists each year into the country by 2025.
The goal was set following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, removing the need for COVID-19 vaccination certificates and PCR results upon entering and leaving the Kingdom of Eswatini.
During an interview with the ETA Head of Marketing, Sboniso Madlopha, he explained how the tourism industry had already begun developing ways in which the goal will be made possible.
“We are working very hard on packaging what Eswatini has to offer in terms of culture and all the tourist attractions that are available in the country. What we usually do is present our calendar of events so that it will be known to our audiences. Whether local or international, people are always aware of the events that are taking place.
“We are also trying to create a channel between South Africa and Mozambique by being in communication with the tourism authorities from each of these different countries in order for them to channel their tourists to Eswatini once they have visited these different countries as well,” said Madlopha.
The Head of Marketing also emphasised that in attempts to reach the goal that had been set by ETA, the company had also been working hard to promote the country and increase the visibility from international tourists as it was noted that there was high number of people who came into the country from South Africa and Mozambique.
“This past weekend, we welcomed the Jeep Inmates group into the country and they are basically a group that travels around the different countries such as Botswana and Lesotho. They will be spending about three nights in the country and they are very active on social media so through them coming to the country, they will be able to show people the beauty of the country,” said Madlopha.
Madlopha finally noted that the welcoming of the Jeep Inmates to the country was one of the initiatives being taken by ETA in trying to promote the tourism industry in the country.
The Eswatini Tourism Authority, according to their website, has a mandate to market the Kingdom of Eswatini as a travel destination of choice within the country, regionally and overseas.
