The Kingdom of Eswatini recorded strong growth in international visitor arrivals in August 2026, with total arrivals reaching 108,158, compared with 92,615 recorded in August 2025. This represents an increase of 15,543 visitors (+16.8%), maintaining the positive momentum recorded in international tourism during 2026.
The August performance was strongly supported by regional markets. Arrivals from the African region increased by 13,798 visitors, accounting for approximately 87.5% of the overall international arrivals. South Africa and Mozambique were the main contributors, recording growth of 11.3% and 24.0%, respectively. The continued growth from neighbouring and regional markets highlights the importance of short-haul and cross-border travel to Eswatini.
Growth was also recorded from overseas markets, particularly Europe, where arrivals increased by 19.9%, marking a major rebound from the declines sustained since late 2024. Notable increases were recorded from Italy, Belgium, Germany, France and the Netherlands. This indicates that August’s performance reflected both sustained regional demand and stronger demand from selected international source markets.
During the month, Eswatini’s tourism calendar also featured several major events, including the Umhlanga Reed Dance, Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival, Eswatini International Trade Fair and Swazi Bikers Rally. These events contributed to an active tourism environment and supported the Kingdom’s appeal as a destination for cultural and lifestyle experiences.
Umhlanga Reed Dance Strengthens Eswatini’s Cultural Tourism Appeal
The 2026 Umhlanga Reed Dance ceremony welcomed a total of 39,873 visitors into the Kingdom, marking a 15.6% increase compared to the relative period in 2025. The total comprised 20,347 international tourists and 19,525 Emaswati residing abroad, with the majority entering through the Ngwenya border post, which recorded 16,264 arrivals. South Africa remained the primary source market with 13,241 visitors, followed by Mozambique with 3,309.
The strong influx of visitors during the ceremony was also reflected in accommodation performance, with the country recording an overall accommodation occupancy rate of 78.9%. Hotels recorded the highest occupancy at 82.1%, followed by Game & Nature Reserves at 64.5% and Guest Houses at 56.0%. From a subregional perspective, Ezulwini recorded the highest occupancy rate at 82.2%, followed by Mbabane at 78.2%, the Rest of Eswatini at 77.5% and Manzini at 72.5%.
The event also recorded increased participation from overseas markets, with notable growth from Italy (+200.0%), Australia (+129.3%), South Korea (+73.3%) and Pakistan (+23.0%). The continued interest from both regional and international visitors highlights the significance of Umhlanga within Eswatini’s cultural tourism offering and its potential to attract visitors beyond the Kingdom’s traditional regional markets.
Regional and Overseas Performance
Africa
Africa dominated international visitor arrivals to the Kingdom, accounting for approximately 87.5% of total arrivals in August 2026. Arrivals from the region increased from 80,858 in August 2025 to 94,656 in August 2026, representing a 17.1% year-on-year increase.
South Africa remained Eswatini’s largest source market, recording 58,894 arrivals, an increase of 11.3%. The market accounted for more than half of all international arrivals during the month. Its performance reflects the continued importance of geographical proximity, established road connectivity and Eswatini’s active August events calendar, including the Swazi Bikers Rally and Umhlanga Reed Dance.
Mozambique also recorded strong growth, with arrivals increasing from 17,664 to 21,906, representing a 24.0% increase. The performance coincided with Eswatini’s events-calendar tourism activation in Maputo, which engaged Mozambican tourism stakeholders, travel trade and media. The activation promoted major events such as Umhlanga and the Swazi Rally, while highlighting the Eswatini–Mpumalanga–Mozambique tourism route.
Other regional markets also recorded notable increases, including Lesotho (+31.4%), Botswana (+36.0%), Zambia (+36.6%) and Tanzania (+6.6%). These results reinforce the importance of regional connectivity, cross-border travel and events-led tourism to Eswatini’s inbound tourism performance.
Americas
The North and South American market recorded a 10.0% increase, with arrivals rising from 1,239 in August 2025 to 1,363 in August 2026. The United States remained the largest market in the region, increasing by 9.4% to 1,044 visitors. Brazil recorded a notable 41.2% increase, although from a lower volume of visitors, while Canada recorded a marginal decline of 1.1%.
Asia & The Pacific
Arrivals from Asia and the Pacific increased marginally by 1.2% during the review period. India recorded a positive increase of 10.8%, reaching 717 visitors. South Korea and Taiwan also recorded growth of 16.3% and 10.0%, respectively while the Philippines recorded a 38.2% increase.
This positive movement was partly offset by declines from China (-21.9%) and Australia (-12.7%), indicating mixed performance across the region.
Middle East
The Middle East recorded the highest percentage growth among the regional markets in August 2026, increasing by 24.1% year-on-year. However, the region remains a relatively small source market for Eswatini and therefore made a limited contribution to total inbound arrivals. The increase included a notable rise in arrivals from Israel, which increased by 250.0%, while other Middle Eastern markets recorded declines.
Europe
Europe remained Eswatini’s second-largest regional source market and recorded strong growth during August. Arrivals increased from 7,954 in August 2025 to 9,533 in August 2026, representing a 19.9% increase.
Several major European markets contributed to the positive performance. Italy recorded the strongest growth among the major markets, with arrivals increasing by 50.0%. France increased by 22.1%, Germany by 23.5% and Belgium by 36.5%. The Netherlands, Eswatini’s largest European source market during the month, recorded a 12.1% increase.
Other European markets also performed strongly, increasing by 41.9%, from 952 to 1,352 visitors. These increases more than offset declines recorded in the United Kingdom (-17.0%), Portugal, Switzerland and Norway.
Year-to-date performance
The year-to-date performance remained strongly anchored in the African market, with arrivals from the region increasing by 10.9% to 697,594 during the eight-month period of 2026. South Africa remained the largest source market with 428,976 arrivals, followed by Mozambique with 163,038. Collectively, the African market accounted for approximately 90.4% of total international visitor arrivals during the period, underscoring the continued importance of regional travel to Eswatini’s inbound tourism performance.
