By Sizwe Dlamini
National ceremonies such as the Incwala national ceremony have contributed to an impressive 40.5% increase in international visitor arrivals to Eswatini in December 2024, marking the highest growth in the sector since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
A total of 111,171 international visitors were welcomed during the festive period, according to the latest statistics from the Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA). This surge signals the kingdom’s robust recovery and growing appeal as a premier travel destination in Africa.
The significant growth was largely driven by national ceremonies, including the popular Incwala Ceremony, which attracted thousands of visitors.
The festive season, school holidays, and increased disposable income from bonuses also played a key role in boosting visitation numbers, as travelers from various regions took advantage of the opportunity to visit Eswatini.
South Africa continued to be the dominant source of international visitors to Eswatini, contributing the largest number of arrivals in December 2024. A total of 74,775 visitors from the neighboring country accounted for the highest proportion of visitors from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Following closely were 17,532 visitors from Mozambique, further reinforcing Eswatini’s appeal as a popular destination within the region.
The statistics reveal that the kingdom’s festive appeal continues to grow, with December 2024 seeing the highest number of visitors for the year. The peak period was followed by September 2024, which recorded 90,128 visitors, and January 2024, with 84,705 visitors.
Other Southern African nations also contributed significantly to the rise in visitor numbers. Malawi saw a remarkable 269.2% increase in visitors, while Lesotho experienced a 141.6% rise.
Botswana too, posted impressive growth, with a 107.7% increase in arrivals. Additional increases were seen from Zimbabwe (75.8%), Kenya (63.9%), Tanzania (51.0%), and Nigeria (31.8%), further solidifying the region’s importance in Eswatini’s tourism landscape.
On a global scale, Eswatini’s tourism sector saw widespread growth in international markets. With the exception of the Middle East, all other regions experienced significant increases in inbound visits.
Both North and South America led with a 52.5% surge, followed by Europe at 48.7%, and Africa at 41.0%. Australasia saw a modest rise of 9.4%.