BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– During the fifth session of the 11th Parliament opening last Friday, His Majesty King Mswati III through his Speech from the Throne revealed that Eswatini’s culture is a largely untapped resource that could give its economic development a major boost.
He further said some nations have embraced tourism, such as Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia and Zimbabwe.
According to data collected by the World Bank, a total of 947 000 international tourists visited Eswatini in 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eswatini is the smallest country in the southern hemisphere, but it makes a big splash every year with cultural festivals that attract guests from around the world.
Just this coming weekend, the nation is going to come together for the colorful Buganu Festival at Buhleni.
The government has long realised that meaningful investment in the arts and culture such as traditional music, dance, clothing and drama could earn the country billions of dollars and create many more jobs.
His Majesty said on the tourism front, all efforts should be made to ensure the kingdom remains a preferred destination of choice both locally and internationally. He also feels the government should support and empower youths in rural areas in order to boost Eswatini’s cultural profile on the international stage.
“Eswatini’s tourism offering is also highly dependent on the country’s rich natural and cultural heritage which is one of a kind. It is for this reason that the kingdom has embarked on the big five national park project which is motivated by the desire to improve and secure Eswatini’s conservation estate,” said His Majesty. In addition to that, the King said it will also increase our overall tourism receipts which will have direct results in improving the economy. Government should commence this project this coming financial year because it has handsome dividends.
