The festive season is upon us, with this in mind, Eswatini has a buffet of leisure options to explore. From Shiselweni’s scenic splendour and Hhohho’s highland adventures, to thrilling wildlife safaris in the Lubombo and the vibrant dining and shopping experiences in the Manzini region, Eswatini truly is the perfect holiday destination for all ages this festive season. Eswatini Tourism Authority’s 2023 campaign message is straightforward. We are calling on everyone in the country to Choose Eswatini this festive season.
ETA, Total Energies, MTN Fintech, the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Eswatini (HOTAES) and captains of the industry launched the Festive Season with a bang under the theme #ChooseEswatini. The colourful festive season launch was held at Mdolomba Eden, a breath-taking leisure haven that is a true testament what Eswatini has to offer. Launch participants were given a warm welcome by Mdolomba Eden co-owner, Nelly Myeni. Myeni gave a brief history of the venue, its offerings and said she hoped this festive launch will be the first of many whereby Emaswati have an opportunity to share with the rest of the world what the Kingdom had to offer.
The event was graced by the Acting Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Constance Vilakati as the keynote speaker. In her address, Vilakati commended Emaswati for their unwavering interest and admirable enthusiasm in their uptake of the country’s tourism offerings. She said the Ministry has observed Emaswati normalising the culture of local travel by exploring the accommodation options, outdoor activities and dining experiences available in Eswatini. ‟It is truly encouraging and pleasing to see EmaSwati recognise and embrace themselves as tourists in their own country.” Vilakati said. Vilakati also touched on how tourism in Eswatini continues to be a big driving force behind Eswatini’s economic growth. In the month of October, statistics released by ETA revealed that the number of arrivals in the country was seventy-six thousand one hundred and sixty-two (76, 162). This essentially means that there was an increase of 43.3% compared to last year’s arrivals.
Also present in the launch were ETA’s Festive Season Campaign partners, Total Energies, MTN Fintech and HOTAES. ETA’s Acting CEO, Simphiwe Ngubeni revealed that, in the festive season spirit of giving, a competition is in the pipeline whereby Emaswati stand a chance to win prizes ranging from fuel, MoMo, accommodation, dinner and transport vouchers courtesy of this partnership. Competition participants are to fill up their vehicles in the 5 participating filling stations namely; Rob’s Filling Station, Total Ngwane Park, Total Rusi Filling Station (Nazarene), Total Ezulwini and Total Piggs Peak to stand a chance to win these awesome prizes. More details on this competition will be shared on all media platforms as it will begin on the 1st of December 2023. Ngubeni went on to mention that the domestic market constitutes a majority of the tourists who book into local accommodation establishments, enjoy outdoor activities and indulge in the dining experience available in Eswatini. ‟As ETA, on the #ChooseEswatini campaign, ours is to ensure that no LiSwati is left behind in the quest to indulge the numerous tourism wonders that the Kingdom is renowned for the world over.” Ngubeni went on to acknowledge the captains of the industry for the sponsorship in the Festive Season Campaign.
Total Energies, MTN Fintech and HOTAES were represented by Sentelwe Mngomezulu, Jordy Shiba and Teagan Ward respectively. Partners expressed gratitude for the partnership and commended ETA for imploring Emaswati to Choose Eswatini this festive season as there was something to explore for everyone in the country regardless of your age and where you come from. The partners also encouraged Emaswati to partake in the competition to stand a chance to win awesome prizes.
Eswatini Festive Season Campaign Rollout
With the Festive season on our doorstep, ETA has a series of activities set for this exciting season. In terms of media reach, The Authority has set out a media campaign where adverts, interviews and tourist leisure centres profiling will be done in ensuring that Eswatini is maintained as the preferred destination. Regionally, ETA media partners include Ligwalagwala FM, Ukhozi FM and Radio 2000. Locally, The Authority has engaged the Eswatini TV, Times of Eswatini, Eswatini Observer, the Eswatini Broadcasting Information Services as well as Voice of the Church. The Authority plans to host Familiarisation Tours whereby members of the media partake in exploring tourist leisure centres with the aim of exploring Eswatini firsthand and reporting about their own experiences. These tours help to build relationships between members of the media and Eswatini tourism officials. These tours also help promote Eswatini as a tourist destination.
Eswatini Tourism Authority continues to drive its mandate to encourage responsible travel in the Kingdom of Eswatini and promotes Eswatini as a preferred destination.